Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Gabriela O’Keefe, Silver City native and rising junior at University of New Mexico. She talks with Healthy Kids/Healthy Communities Coordinator and Coronavirus Update co-producer Alicia Edwards about her COVID story.
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 in**@**************************te.org
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
Message from Grant County’s health care providers –video
Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation
Grant County Coronavirus Update website – grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org
CVU is broadcast live weekdays at Noon and
rebroadcast following Democracy Now! at 6pm and 8am
Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…
CVU / Coronavirus Update – July 15, 2020
As of Today – Wednesday, July 15 – New Mexico exceeded 15,000 COVID cases on Monday. As of today 15,514 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 551 deaths, 171 currently hospitalized individuals, and 6429 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Since last week Grant County has reported 17 additional cases with 41 total cases of COVID-19 with 17 recovered.
In total, 430,006 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, with 3625 having been conducted in Grant County.
For a full breakdown of COVID-19 cases by county and demographic information, visit the state’s COVID-19 data dashboard at: cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard
Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19. Get tested. Stay home, especially if you are sick. Wear a mask or face covering when in public and around others. Maintain a distance of 6 feet from others when in public spaces.
New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and/or loss of taste or smell should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).
More COVID-19 health information is available at cv.nmhealth.org
REVISED PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER TAKES EFFECT JULY 13
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday announced a new public health emergency order re-enacting emergency public health restrictions on high-contact indoor environments where face-coverings are not worn in order to slow the rising spread of COVID-19 across the state.
New Mexico’s statewide cases of COVID-19 and rolling average of cases have risen and continue to rise. In the past two weeks, the state has seen 3,049 new positive cases of COVID-19, representing 20.2% of the total positive cases statewide over the course of the pandemic. These trends are similar to frightening upticks creating health care and hospital resource shortages in neighboring states and across the country.
The new public health order prohibits indoor dining at restaurants, which had been permitted at a limited capacity in the state since June 1. Also restricted is indoor seating at breweries, which had been permitted at a limited capacity since June 15.
Both restaurants and breweries may operate outdoor seating at 50 percent of the maximum occupancy as determined by fire code. Restaurants may continue to operate carry out, pickup and delivery services. Breweries may continue to operate curbside pickup services.
Additionally, gyms and other close contact businesses like tattoo shops and salons are now limited to 25 percent of the maximum occupancy as determined by the fire code.
The public health order has also been amended to restrict out-of-state visitors at New Mexico state parks.
The state’s mandate that all individuals must wear face-coverings in public – in effect since May 16 – has been strengthened to additionally require individuals to wear face-coverings while exercising. This requirement includes those exercising at indoor gyms and fitness centers. Operators of those establishments, like operators of other essential businesses, must require customers to wear face-coverings; violators will be subject to a fine.
“There has been significant community spread in our state since New Mexico opened more businesses,” said Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel, “and that spread has not been sufficiently mitigated with COVID-safe behaviors like face-coverings. Without those behaviors and strategies being uniformly adopted, the best way to reduce transmission is to reduce the opportunity for spread. We will all help each other through this.”
More information at cv.nmhealth.org
LOCAL COVID-19 TESTING
Please take note of changes in local COVID-19 testing schedules and procedures.
Grant County Public Health Office will provide free testing every Monday from 8:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. for utility workers and Food Industry Workers. Appointments are required and must be scheduled by calling Grant County Public Health Office at 575-538-5318 (ext. 4) by noon on the preceding Friday.
Testing will also be conducted every Tuesday from 8:30a.m. to 11:00a.m. for anyone at the Grant County Public Health Office.
Testing is free, but those who have insurance should bring their card with them.
Throat swab and nasal swab testing options are available.
Appointments can be scheduled by registering on the following website: cvtestreg.nmhealth.org Once registered, you will receive a code. Please save this code and use it when making your appointment by calling: 575-538-5318 (ext. 4).
The Grant County Public Health Office is located at 2610 N. Silver Street (across the street from the Swimming Pool).
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) in Silver City is doing testing on weekdays except for Tuesday at their clinic at 1007 Pope Street in Silver City and at their Lordsburg clinic on weekdays except for Thursdays at 530 De Moss Street. Call 1-888-271-3596 for an appointment. Testing is expanded to everyone via a drive-up testing approach.
HMS has also recently acquired a Mobile COVID testing clinic. The Mobile Clinic will be in Mimbres at the San Lorenzo Elementary School, 2655 NM Highway 35 tomorrow July 16, 9 am to 2pm (Closed from 12-1pm for lunch). This is a walk-in clinic so no appointment is necessary. For more information, call HMS at 888-271-3596.
Additional rural areas will be serviced over the coming weeks.
And please note that Gila Regional Medical Center is no longer conducting COVID-19 testing, given increased capacity at other local facilities.
67 BRANDS OF HAND SANITIZER CONTAMINATED WITH METHANOL
FDA is warning consumers and health care providers that the agency has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination. Methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.
The agency is aware of adults and children ingesting hand sanitizer products contaminated with methanol that has led to recent adverse events including blindness, hospitalizations and death.
Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects. FDA’s investigation of methanol in certain hand sanitizers is ongoing. The agency will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.
A list of hand sanitizer brands that should not be used is up to 67 brands from 7 brands a few weeks ago and can be found at the Food and Drug Administration website at fda.gov
FDA advises consumers not to use hand sanitizers from these companies, or products with these names or NDC numbers. [press release]
FEDERAL AND STATE TAXES DUE TODAY
It’s tax day today and the state is reminding New Mexicans that personal and corporate income tax returns for 2019 must be filed by July 15 to avoid penalties under a law enacted during the recent special legislative session.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently signed into law a bill that waives penalties and interest on late payments in a variety of tax programs, including income taxes, to provide relief to individuals and businesses under financial strain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While payments may be delayed under the law, tax returns still must be filed timely in order to avoid penalties.
More information at newmexico.gov
TOWN OF SILVER CITY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AS OF JULY 13
Due to the steady rise of COVID‐19 cases in the community the Town of Silver City offices will be closing to the public beginning Monday, July 13, 2020 until further notice.
This includes City Hall, City Hall Annex, Public Safety Building Public Library and the Municipal Court. The continued closure of the Museum, Public Pool and Recreation Center is still in effect. Some departments may continue to offer a curbside service.
The Silver City Public Library will restart curbside service, but their new hours have not been announced yet. For the latest information on the Public Library curbside service visit their website at https://silvercitypubliclibrary.org/
For the latest information on the Museum visit their website at
https://www.silvercitymuseum.org/199/Museum
Essential offices and departments will operate during normally scheduled business hours; however, business will need to be conducted electronically, via email, by mail or by telephone.
More information at townofsilvercity.org
SILVER SCHOOLS WILL RESUME THE SCHOOL YEAR ONLINE STARTING AUGUST 13
In light of rising cases of COVID-19 and the Governor’s latest public health order, Silver Schools Board of Education decided at its meeting Monday night that Silver Schools will operate online from Aug. 13 through Labor Day. The board will consider moving to the hybrid model developed by the NM Public Education Department after Labor Day. More information and Silver Schools Continuous Learning Plan are available at silverschools.org
http://scdailypress.com/site/2020/07/14/silver-schools-to-begin-new-school-year-online/
FOOD PANTRY SCHEDULES
The Mimbres Valley Health Action League Mobile Food Pantry will be held today from Noon to 2pm at the Roundup Lodge, 94 Acklin Hill Rd. Call 575-574-7674 for more information.
The Commons Mining District Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Tuesday July 21 from 1 – 3 pm, for Santa Clara, Bayard, Hanover & Hurley residents at the Bataan Memorial Park in Santa Clara
The Commons Gila Valley Mobile Food Pantry for Buckhorn, Cliff, Gila & Redrock residents Will also be held on Tuesday July 21 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m at the Fairgrounds in Cliff.
Visit The Commons website at www.tvcgrantcounty.org for more information.
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. Daily soup kitchen: 8:30-9:30 for breakfast Mon-Fri and 12-1 pm lunch every day.
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 and cash assistance for rent, utilities, bus passes and prescription drugs is also provided. Call 575-388-4933 for more information.
Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates, as well as replays of todays and past shows
And be sure to visit our new website, grantcountycoronavirusupdate.org, a clearinghouse of local, state and federal information and resources to help keep you, your family and our community safe in these times.
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