Coronavirus remains, more infectious, but much milder

Eastern New Mexico News, Clovis, N.M.
·2 min read

Jul. 16—The coronavirus is still around, but it's different.

So says Plains Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Jorge Cruz.

Cruz said last week the new, prevalent COVID is the BA5 variant.

"It's more contagious," he said. "It's easier to transmit but has much milder symptoms."

Cruz said PRMC has been averaging two to three hospitalized COVID patients daily, but on Thursday that number jumped to six.

Cruz said there has been a jump in cases statewide.

The best way to avoid COVID has not changed.

"Practice the COVID-safe practices," he said. "Social distancing, get vaccinated. We have the vaccine here at our retail pharmacy and our medical office building. The vaccine is now available for younger children too."

Cruz said area residents may learn more about vaccinations by visiting the state vaccine site, vaccinenm.org .

"It seems like we're seeing a less serious disease," New Mexico Department of Health acting Cabinet Secretary David R. Scrase said at a video teleconference Thursday.

Scrase said as of Thursday there were 176 New Mexicans hospitalized with COVID. Of those 10 were on ventilators.

"It's a different pandemic now than two years ago," Scrase said. "We now have some very effective ways of dealing with the virus."

Scrase did address the slight uptick in cases advising New Mexicans to "get vaccinated, get tested, get treated and get a well-fitting mask."

While masks were mentioned in the teleconference "we're not having discussions of mask mandates" Scrase said.

Scrase said the state recorded its 8,000th death from COVID last week, "But the death rate is declining with the new variants," he said.

Scrase said the state has recorded four cases of Monkeypox through Thursday.

Scrase outlined monkeypox prevention: Stay away from people who seem to have the flu, avoid skin-to-skin contact, avoid kissing and avoid sharing utensils.

Scrase said the simplest thing is to stay home if sick.

"We're relying on New Mexicans to use their own good judgement," he said.