Right click and select “Save Link As” to download

Grant County Coronavirus Update

February 3, 2021

This week on Grant County Coronavirus Update co-producer Andrea Warner talks to Martha Egnal, Director, and Heidi Pendleton, Director of Student Wellness & Nutrition, from the Guadalupe Montessori School located in Silver City. They share their thoughts and experiences running an in-person educational program through the pandemic.

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 Wednesday’s at 10 AM

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.

Send us your updates to info@grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org

Resources:

NM Dept of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org

Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov

NM Crisis & Access Line, 24/7, 1-855-662-7474; nmcrisisline.com

Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation

Grant County Coronavirus Update website – grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org

Grant County, We Need You.  COVID-19 Video Message – link

Grant County Commissioner Alicia Edwards COVID-19 Video Message – link

---

State News:

New Mexico health officials reported Tuesday the daily number of positive test results for COVID-19 was 434, the lowest count the state has seen in nearly four months.

The news comes as the state received a new shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses available in New Mexico to 312,250.Health care providers have administered more than 284,000 of those doses, including 63,826 boosters for the two-shot vaccine. About 39 percent of the 565,000 New Mexico residents who have registered with the state to receive the vaccine have received at least their first dose.

The state has had 175,000 COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, and 3,310 residents have died from the illness. Health officials announced 15 more deaths Tuesday.

There were 492 people in the state hospitalized Tuesday for treatment of COVID-19, with 12,185 hospitalizations throughout the pandemic.

More than 100 nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the state have had at least one case of the illness in the last 28 days.

Source: Daily COVID-19 count continues decline as New Mexico receives new shipment of vaccine

Grant County News:

In Grant County, the Department of Health reported 52 new COVID cases since last week, for a total of 1296 cases.  

There are 612 reported COVID cases recovered, leaving 656 active cases in the county as of Tuesday, indicating a drop in active cases by 28, and 77 more people recovered.

There have been 3 reported deaths in Grant County since last week, bringing the total to 28 local deaths. 

Source: cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html

---

Safer Ways to Enjoy the Super Bowl!

Gathering virtually or with the people you live with is the safest way to celebrate the Super Bowl this year. If you do have a small gathering with people who don’t live with you, outdoors is safer than indoors. This year, choose a safer way to enjoy the game.

• Host a virtual Super Bowl watch party.
• Make appetizers or snacks with the people you live with to enjoy while watching the game.
• Start a text group with other fans to chat about the game while watching.
• Attend an outdoor viewing party where viewers can sit 6 feet apart.

 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/small-gatherings.html 

---

Vaccine Information

DOH Secretary-Designate Dr. Tracie Collins and HSD Sec. Dr. David Scrase will provide a data driven COVID-19 and vaccine webinar update Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. MST. The news conference will be streamed live on the HSD Facebook page: https://facebook.com/NMHSD

The New Mexico Department of Health on Friday reiterated the sequence of COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

New Mexico is currently in the first portion of Phase 1B – people 75 years and older. Soon, the state will expand vaccinations to those with qualifying medical conditions. Health care professionals and other workers in Phase 1A remain eligible for vaccination. 

“New Mexico has two goals: to distribute vaccine as quickly as possible, and to ensure that vaccine goes to those who are most exposed – and most vulnerable – to COVID-19.”

New Mexicans who wish to follow the progress of the state’s vaccination campaign – or who wish to view a map of available provider locations – can visit the state’s vaccination dashboard at cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html, which is updated Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

How does the vaccine registration process work?

There are 4 steps:

1. Register at vaccinenm.org
2. Complete your profile

——-> Wait for DMDOH to contact you ←——–

1. Schedule your appointment
2. Receive the Covid-19 vaccine

There’s also call center support for vaccine registration using the Department of Health hotline

The New Mexico Department of Health announced that the DOH hotline now offers support for questions surrounding vaccine registration.

Users who have questions or would like support with the registration process – including New Mexicans who do not have internet access – can dial 1-855-600-3453, press option 0 for vaccine questions, and then option 4 for tech support.

Users who have other vaccine-related questions can call 1-855-600-3453 and simply press option 0 for vaccine questions.

New Mexicans are encouraged to register for vaccine at vaccinenm.org . 

---

The state’s red-to-green public health order in which counties are evaluated over a two-week period for daily cases and test positivity rate will be updated next Wednesday, February 10th. Counties not meeting daily case thresholds of eight or fewer cases per 100,000 population and test positivity rates below 5% follow the strictest red guidelines; those meeting one of these benchmarks have some expanded capacity; and green counties—those meeting both requirements —have the fewest restrictions.  

Grant County is currently in the yellow category.  

• Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
• Essential retail spaces: 33% of maximum capacity
• Food and drink establishments: 25% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoors dining; any establishment serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m. each night
• Close-contact businesses: 25% of maximum capacity or 20 customers at one time, whichever is smaller
• Outdoor recreational facilities: 25% of maximum capacity (unless required to have less capacity under the state’s COVID-Safe Practices)
• Close-contact recreational facilities: Remain closed
• All other businesses: 25% of maximum capacity or 125 customers at one time, whichever is smaller
• Houses of worship: May hold religious services, indoors or outdoors, or provide services through audiovisual means, but may not exceed 33% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises
• Places of lodging: 60% of maximum occupancy for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 25% of maximum occupancy for all others; 5 guests maximum for vacation rentals
• Mass gatherings limit: 10 persons, 80 vehicles

Source: https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green/

---

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced in her State of the State address that as of February 8, 2021, all schools — elementary and secondary — in all counties will be eligible to enter the hybrid mode of instruction that includes both online and in-person learning.  Schools must follow the guidelines outlined in the current Public Education Department Reentry Guidance Document and updated Rapid Response Toolkit.  More information at: webnew.ped.state.nm.us/

---

Resources

Double your SNAP Benefits at Silver City Farmers Market starting February 6th!

Silver City Farmers’ Market accepts EBT and Pandemic-EBT cards and offers Double Up Food Bucks to double your SNAP benefits. Use your EBT card and get half off all purchases. 

Winter Farmers’ Market will be held weekly every Saturday 9 am — 12 pm, starting February 6  at the corner of Pope St. and College Avenue in the old Life Quest parking lot

Food Pantry Schedules

The Commons next regular food pantry distribution will be this Saturday, February 6th from 4pm-6pm.  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 thecommonsgrantcounty.org

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.

Unemployment Assistance

Weekly certifications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs under the Continued Assistance Act (CAA) will begin on February 7, 2021. On that date, the link to file an initial claim, reopen your claim, or file your weekly certification will appear on your Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimant homepage. 

On that date, eligible claimants will be able to certify for retroactive payments starting with the week ending January 2, 2021. Each eligible week will also include the additional $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payment along with the weekly benefit amount received. 

If you are an individual filing or certifying for benefits, you can log into your Unemployment Insurance account at www.jobs.state.nm.us. 

Utility Assistance

PNM announced it is extending help for families, small businesses and nonprofits struggling to pay their electric bill. The PNM COVID Customer Relief Fund helps eligible customers pay down, or even pay off, their past-due PNM bill.

The funding, originally slated to end in December 2020, has been extended to March 31, 2021, due to the number of customers that are still experiencing financial hardship from the pandemic. Apply by calling PNM at 855-364-2950 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday or go to www.pnm.com  

Business Assistance

If you need assistance in navigating the process for PPP or any other relief programs, please contact the Las Cruces office of Senator Martin Heinrich at (575) 523-6561.  He is actively offering aid to everyone involved.  The Washington, D.C. phone number is: (202) 224-5521, and his Covid-19 Resource Center is www.heinrich.senate.gov/coronavirus

Paycheck Protection Program

The next round of new PPP funds  just opened up for applications.

This latest round will be much easier for small businesses to access, with some necessary flexibility to allow businesses to address their specific needs and still get their loans forgiven. That includes new provisions that allow restaurants, hotels, and other businesses in related services to calculate a higher PPP forgivable loan amount in order to aid industries that have been severely impacted by state and local restrictions. Also eligible for this round of PPP are housing cooperatives, local newspapers and TV and radio broadcasters, and 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including local chambers of commerce and tourism organizations.

>>>You can find more information about how to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program here.

COVID disaster loan extended through 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for the COVID-19 pandemic disaster declaration has been extended to Dec. 31, 2021.

If you are a small business, nonprofit organization of any size, or a U.S. agricultural business with 500 or fewer employees that have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, you can apply for the COVID-19 EIDL.

EIDL loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds. Loans are offered at a 3.75 percent interest rate for small businesses and a 2.75 percent interest rate for nonprofit organizations, with a 30-year maturity and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin.

Eligible small businesses and nonprofits can apply for the program at sba.gov/disaster.

School Resources

ENGAGE New Mexico.

For many students, going from a traditional classroom to learning from home can be a real challenge. New Mexico’s Public Education Department has partnered with Graduation Alliance to provide an extra layer of support for students in grades K-12 and their families who might be struggling with these changes.

Students who choose to participate in the program will get an academic coach to work with them to answer questions, connect them with resources, and develop a plan to get on track and finish the school year strong. Graduation Alliance is reaching out to students through phone calls, emails, text messages and more to get students started. Go to parentsnm.graduationalliance.com or call 505-340-3250 for more information .

Mental Health Resources

In New Mexico, you can talk to trained staff if you have mental health or substance abuse concerns: call the NM Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You are not alone and it is normal to feel anxious and worried! You can confidentially reach out to talk to someone anytime and anyplace. 

If you want to hurt yourself, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 

Call 911 if you are in an EMERGENCY SITUATION.  If you feel like you’re going to hurt yourself, it is an emergency!

If You Just Want Someone to Hear You Out…

 Call the Peer-to-Peer Warmline at (855) 466-7100.  They are available to talk every day from 3:30p – 11:30p MT.  They are available by text from 6:00p – 11:00p MT

---

COVID-19 Testing

Do you need to get tested for COVID? Are you experiencing 

• 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

COVID-19 Testing Schedule

The Grant County Public Health Office provides free testing every Tuesday from 8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 

Appointments can be scheduled by registering at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/ 

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. Hours are 9am – 6pm M-F, 9am-5pm Sat, 10am – 5pm Sun. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) testing is now available  Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 2:30pm (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. 

The HMS Mobile Clinic will be doing Covid Testing and offering Flu shots for Adults only:

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Gila/Cliff

HMS Clinic

415 NM Hwy 211, Gila, NM

10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Monday, February 8, 2021

Santa Clara

Dollar General parking lot

11988 US Hwy. 180

9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (12:00 – 12:30 for lunch)

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Bayard

Cobre High School parking lot

1100 Tom Foy Blvd.

9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (12:00 – 12:30 for lunch)

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Tyrone

Tyrone Community Center parking lot

50 Malachite

9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

For upcoming dates and locations go to the HMS facebook page at www.facebook.com/HidalgoMedicalServices

 

At-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva test opportunities

 At-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests offer 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.

 To order a test, and for more information, visit learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/.

---

The State Department of Health reminds New Mexicans of the following:

• Please be patient after receiving your COVID-19 test. As cases rise, so do testing demands. After receiving your COVID-19 test, monitor yourself for symptoms. If you are having symptoms or if you tested because of an exposure, 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 infected with COVID-19, you must not leave your home unless you are seeking out emergency medical care. Find more information regarging testing positive at https://cv.nmhealth.org/how-to-isolate-when-positive/
• Finally, if you need emergency medical care, call 9-1-1, not the Department of Health information hotline.