Coronavirus Update – May 7, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Grant County for Thursday, May 7, 2020.  Our guest today on Coronavirus Update is Nick Seibel, publisher and editor of the Silver City Daily Press and Independent. He’ll be giving us the latest on the Silver City Small Business Auction that ends tomorrow.

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 coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com

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

Coronavirus Update Resource Page – gmcr.org/coronavirus-resources

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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 – May 7, 2020

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Updates as of Thursday, May 7 at 10 am – Please note: Because we are producing this show remotely, these updates are current as of 10 am. Information on this page can change quickly, including Coronavirus Updates from previous days. Please visit gmcr.org/category/coronavirus-update to see the latest updates.

As of today – Thursday, May 7- 4,291  people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 169 deaths,  193  hospitalized individuals, and 1073 recoveries according to the New Mexico Department of Health. 

Grant County has 15 positive cases of coronavirus.

In total, 85,684 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, with 641 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

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

CYFD Increases Financial Support to Children and Youth in Foster Care as Pandemic “Stay at Home” Orders Continue

New Mexico’s Children, Youth & Families Department has authorized additional monetary support to go to each child in foster care for the duration of the “stay at home” orders.

An additional $175 per month is being added to every foster care maintenance payment throughout the duration of the pandemic. The first payment was sent on April 17th for the month of April. Older youth connected to CYFD through departmental Independent Living programs also received a one time crisis stipend of $175.

More information at newmexico.gov

HUD AWARDS GRANT TO  NM COUNTIES FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES

U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), and Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $1.6 million to public housing authorities in 14 counties across New Mexico for rental assistance for families, individuals, and owners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Western Regional Housing Authority in Silver City was awarded $87,844 under this grant program.

Western Regional Housing Authority offers rental assistance to clients located in Grant, Luna, Socorro, Valencia, and Torrance Counties through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP).

The rental assistance program is designed to assist eligible homeless or precariously housed persons with Security and Utility Deposits, up to 11 months rental assistance, and past due rent or utility bills.

Individuals and families are eligible to receive RAP assistance, if they meet the following criteria:

• Meets the definition of homeless or currently at risk of homelessness;
• Gross income for the household may be no more than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application for assistance;
• Client must show ability to sustain rent payments after the rental assistance ends 

For more information, contact the Western Regional Housing Authority at (575) 388-1974 or visit wrha-nm.org

I NEED ASSISTANCE WEBSITE

In the midst of this unprecedented public health crisis, the negative impact to the economy has caused many individuals and families to suffer severe financial difficulties. The state of New Mexico and private companies have taken measures to mitigate financial hardship.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, visit www.newmexico.gov/i-need-assistance/ for a compiled list of resources that can help you get your needs met.  The state is working to identify additional sources of relief and will update this website as those resources become available.

DONATIONS TO COMMUNITY COVID-19 RESPONSE

If you’re wondering how you can help Grant County’s most vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic, please make a donation today to the Grant County Community Foundation’s emergency fund at https://grantcountycommunityfoundation.org/. You can decide how you’d like to help:  assisting with food distribution efforts, shelter and housing, or childcare. 

Do your part to help our community through this challenging time.

Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates and additional resources.

And remember to send us your updates and questions — email us at coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com or post on facebook @GilaMimbresCom munityRadio.  

If you missed part of today’s show, Coronavirus Update is rebroadcast at 6pm and 8 am Monday through Friday and past shows are available 24/7 at gmcr.org.