For this week’s interview, GMCR’s Jamie Newton interviews Dr. Anna Rogers, MD, a family medicine specialist who practices in a hospital in Gallup, New Mexico, Since the pandemic began early in the spring of 2020, Dr. Rogers has treated coronavirus patients almost exclusively in her practice. She will share guidance for people who think they may have contracted COVID-19 or who have tested positive for the virus. They explore direct and secondary impacts of the disease on patients and the community, the potential benefits of vaccines, and the impacts of the prolonged coronavirus crisis on doctors and other health care professionals.
Coronavirus Update is broadcast live on Gila/Mimbres Community Radio KURU 89.1 FM in Silver City.
Tune in or stream online at GMCR.org Monday through Friday at Noon and rebroadcast weekdays at 6 pm and 8 am
Or listen to today’s interview in the player below…
Coronavirus Update is a local radio show that provides the latest information you need to know on local community strategies to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and protect yourself, your family and our community during this public health crisis. Brought to you by Gila/Mimbres Community Radio, Gila Resources Information Project, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant County and National Center for Frontier Communities.
Grant County, We Need You. COVID-19 Video Message – link
Grant County Commissioner Alicia Edwards COVID-19 Video Message – link
Today’s NM COVID-19 Headlines
New Mexico reported 23 more coronavirus deaths Tuesday — all adults in their 60s or older. The additional fatalities push the statewide total to 2,403 deaths since March. The 23 virus-related fatalities announced Tuesday include six adults living in nursing homes or group settings, including a Sierra County man in his 90s at the New Mexico State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences. The state has averaged 29 virus deaths a day over the last week.
The Department of Health also reported 806 coronavirus hospitalizations — an 8% increase over the last three days, but still below the peak in early December.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Twitter urged New Mexicans to take “every action you can to protect yourself, your family and your community.”
New Mexico reported 1,221 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday — just a bit above the state’s seven-day rolling average of 1,115 cases a day. The average number of cases has fallen sharply since late November, though the case totals still remain well beyond the state’s reopening goal of just 168 new infections a day.
The share of tests that come back positive has also fallen — to about 11.6% in the most recent seven-day period tracked by the state. It peaked at 24% in late November.
The improvement comes as the Department of Health is set to release a new map Wednesday outlining whether any New Mexico counties have hit the statistical targets required to slightly relax their business restrictions.
Reaching a test positivity rate of 5% or less, for example, would allow a county’s restaurants to reopen indoor dining at partial capacity.The state’s red-to-green map is due to be updated mid-day Wednesday. Each of the state’s 33 counties is now in the red, the most stringent level of restrictions.
The Department of Health releases a new color-coded map every two weeks.
In Grant County, the Department of Health reported 70 new COVID cases since last week for a total of 855 cases. Almost half as many as reported the week of December 23rd. (Source)
In Grant County, there are 325 reported COVID cases recovered, leaving 530 active cases in the county as of Tuesday.
There have been 4 reported deaths in Grant County since last week bringing the total to 13 local deaths. The most recent death of a Grant County man in his 70s was announced on December 27th. . The individual had been hospitalized. On December 25th two males died, one in his 70s and another in his 80s, both with l underlying health conditions. On December 23rd, the Department of Health announced that a female in her 50s with underlying conditions had died.
The safest way to celebrate the new year is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you or virtually with friends and family. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.
Travel and gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19 or the flu.
As a reminder, the state of New Mexico’s emergency public health order strictly prohibits mass gatherings, defined as a group of more than five individuals who do not regularly reside with one another. New Mexicans should stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for their health, safety or welfare. Persons arriving in New Mexico from “high-risk” states are required to physically separate from others in a residence or place of lodging for at least 14 days from the date of their entry into New Mexico or for the duration of their presence in the state, whichever is shorter.
If you host a celebration:
Talk with guests ahead of time to set expectations for celebrating together.
Consider other activities to celebrate the New Year like having virtual celebrations with loved ones or planning a New Year’s party for the people you live with. Find more ideas for safer at home celebrating at www.cdc.gov.
To everyone who is staying home for New Year’s and New Year’s Eve , we know this is a difficult choice — thank you! You are saving lives in our community. Prevention is the best remedy.
Second Round of Economic Impact Payments Initiated
Today, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department will begin delivering a second round of Economic Impact Payments as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans who received the first round of payments earlier this year.
The initial direct deposit payments may begin arriving as early as Tuesday night for some and will continue into next week. Paper checks will begin to be mailed today,
The IRS emphasizes that there is no action required by eligible individuals to receive this second payment. Some Americans may see the direct deposit payments as pending or as provisional payments in their accounts before the official payment date of January 4, 2021. The IRS reminds taxpayers that the payments are automatic, and they should not contact their financial institutions or the IRS with payment timing questions.
As with the first round of payments under the CARES Act, most recipients will receive these payments by direct deposit. For Social Security and other beneficiaries who received the first round of payments via Direct Express, they will receive this second payment the same way.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is leading the State of New Mexico’s COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation in close collaboration with other state agencies, as well as public, private and tribal partners throughout the state.
The vaccine will be prioritized for frontline health care workers in hospital settings. The state will then provide the vaccine to other frontline healthcare workers and first responders, as well as staff and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. This is in line with federal recommendations.
This means that not everyone will be able to be vaccinated right away, and vaccine may not be available to the general public until mid-2021.
Do you want to pre-register for your COVID-19 Vaccine?
Sign up using the New Mexico Department of Health’s new COVID-19 vaccine registration tool at cvvaccine.nmhealth.org. When the vaccine is available, NMDOH will send you a notification to schedule your appointment. Again, you can register at cvvaccine.nmhealth.org
Area food pantries taking place this week…..
As a reminder the Food Pantries at the Gospel Mission and St. Francis Newman Center are open every week……
The Food Pantry at the Gospel Mission located at 111 South Texas Street in Silver City is open for drive thru only on Wednesdays 8:30 am – 9:30 am. Emergency Dry Food Boxes are available once a month to individuals upon request. There is also a Daily soup kitchen: Breakfast takes place from 9:00-10:00 Mon-Fri and Lunch occurs every day from 12-1 pm. Showers and clothes are also made available to those in need. Call 575 388-5071 for more information.
St. Francis Newman Center Food Pantry located at 914 W. 13th St. Silver City is open every Monday at 4 pm. Cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs is also provided. Call 575-388-4933 for more information.
If you are a senior or disabled adult and cannot access groceries, please call the state’s Senior and Disabled Adult Food Hotline at 1-800-432-2080. Leave a message with your name, telephone number and city that you reside in and you will be contacted within 2 hours of your call.
The Commons regular food pantry distribution will be today Wednesday, December 30th from 4pm-6pm and the First Saturday of 2021, January 2nd, from 10am to 12pm. The Commons is located at 501 East 13th Street, next door to Knights of Columbus. For more information please contact The Commons at 575-388-2988 or visit the website https://thecommonsgrantcounty.org
Utility Assistance To Those In Financial Need
The New Mexico Human Services Department received $5.3 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security Act (CARES Act). A one-time $300 payment will be provided to utility vendors for households that received a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment and are at least one month behind in their utility payments. LIHEAP is a program that assists approximately 70,000 New Mexico households with their home heating and cooling costs. Eligible households will automatically be identified through a partnership between the department and existing LIHEAP vendors; there is no need to submit an application for this one-time lump sum payment. The Human Services Department will issue the $300 payment directly to utility vendors on behalf of eligible New Mexico households. Individuals who have questions about the process can contact the Income Support Division Customer Service Center at 1-800-283-4465.
CYFD Launches Text Line to Report Abuse And Neglect
New Mexico is launching a round-the-clock program to let youths reach state officials by text message to report abuse or neglect, find references or ask questions.
Reach NM uses the text number 505-591-9444 to let Children, Youth & Families Department intake workers offer answers and connect texters with appropriate community resources.
The department points to Arizona State University research finding the average child has a cell phone by age 11, and that texting is the most comfortable form of communication for youths. A statement calls New Mexico the first state with a completely text-based system.
If suspected abuse or neglect is disclosed, a report will be created and investigators can respond based on the severity of the situation.
Reach NM texters can remain anonymous, but workers can track calls from the same person over time.
Engagement experts also can use the system to connect those in need with support and services including food banks, or assistance with transportation to and from medical appointments.
Legal Assistance From The New Mexico Poverty Law Center
Know your rights as a worker during the pandemic. You have rights to paid sick leave and family leave during the Covid 19 crisis. Find information about your rights, programs to help families, and advocacy to ensure that all New Mexicans have access to critical services at New Mexico Poverty Law Center. For Eviction Rights, Worker Rights, and Support Programs go to www.nmpovertylaw.org/covid-19-resources
The Silver City Library Is Now Lending Internet Hot Spots
Internet hotspots are available at the Silver City Library for checkout to adult patrons with cards that are in good standing and no longer in the six-week probationary period. The hotspots may be borrowed for one week at a time. Call the library at 575-538-3672 to reserve a hotspot!
Mental Health Resources
Please remember, you are never alone, but dealing with stay-at-home orders, political discussions, job loss, or not being able to spend time with the people you love and care about can wear on your emotions. Your feelings are valid. It’s normal to feel sad, anxious, or upset about the future.
Reaching out to professionals who are familiar with how you are feeling can improve your life. In New Mexico, you can talk to trained staff: call 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can confidentially reach out to talk to someone anytime and anyplace.
If you feel like you want to hurt yourself, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Call 911 if you are in an EMERGENCY SITUATION. If you feel like you are going to hurt yourself, this is an emergency.
They are available to talk every day from 3:30p – 11:30p MT
They are available by text from 6:00p – 11:00p MT
Do you need to get tested for COVID?
Get tested if you have any of the following symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Here is the local COVID testing schedule
The Grant County Public Health Office provides free testing every Tuesday from 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. and every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm.
CVS Pharmacy Drive-thru in Silver City is making self-swab tests available to individuals meeting CDC criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com
Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) testing is now available Monday through Friday 830 am to 230pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch) in both Silver City at 1007 Pope Street, and at their Lordsburg clinic on 530 De Moss Street. Call 1-575-388-1511 for an appointment.
At-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests, with accurate laboratory-confirmed results returned within 24-48 hours of receipt of the sample.
The free tests are available to New Mexico residents regardless of exposure risk– whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, and whether they have come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual or not.
The state Department of Health reminds New Mexicans of the following:
Please be patient after receiving your COVID-19 test. As cases rise, so does demand for testing. After you receive your COVID-19 test, monitor yourself for symptoms. If you are having symptoms or tested because of an exposure, you should assume that you are infectious and self-isolate even if your symptoms resolve. You can spread the virus without knowing you are positive and without having symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID-19, even if you are asymptomatic do not leave your home to do errands, work or to see friends. If you are infected with COVID-19, you must not leave your home unless you are seeking out emergency medical care.
Finally, if you need emergency medical care, call 9-1-1, not the Department of Health information hotline.
