Eddy County's COVID-19 infections continue at or near triple digits

Mike Smith, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·3 min read

Eddy County’s COVID-19 seven-day case average hit 145 Jan. 18 and fell below 100 by the end of last week, read New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) figures.

The seven-day rolling average is the average daily number of newly detected COVID-19 cases over a seven-day period.

On Jan. 19 Eddy County’s average fell to 132 and declined further to 111 on Jan. 20.

As the week ended, the rolling average fell to 92 on Jan. 21, DOH figures indicated.

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New daily COVID-19 cases in Eddy County rose during a three-day period last week.

In a press release, DOH said Eddy County had 127 new COVID-19 cases as of Jan. 19.

Jan. 20 new cases rose to 244 and 314 on Jan. 21. No deaths were cited during the Jan. 19 through Jan. 21 reporting period.

A sign at Artesia General Hospital during the early morning of Jan. 24, 2021 reminds people to wash their hands in order to fight COVID-19 in Eddy County.
A sign at Artesia General Hospital during the early morning of Jan. 24, 2021 reminds people to wash their hands in order to fight COVID-19 in Eddy County.

Overall, Eddy County had 238 deaths as of Jan. 21 and 14,905 total cases, read DOH figures.

DOH said 147,095 COVID-19 tests were administered in Eddy County since 2020 and 12,153 people had recovered.

Carlsbad and Artesia were in New Mexico’s top-10 zip codes for COVID-19 cases across New Mexico Jan. 21.

Carlsbad was No. 4 with 159 cases and Artesia was No. 9 with 136.

Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Clovis were ahead of Carlsbad, read DOH data.

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New Mexico reaches vaccination milestone

Jan. 20. DOH announced that more than 90 percent of New Mexicans 18 years and older received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, read a news release.

“In addition, more than 76 percent of adult New Mexicans have now completed their initial vaccination series, meaning they have received either their first dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines,” the release stated.

New Mexico Deputy Health Cabinet Secretary Laura Parajon (left) demonstrates how to conduct a home COVID-19 test during a press briefing Dec. 22, 2021 via Zoom.
New Mexico Deputy Health Cabinet Secretary Laura Parajon (left) demonstrates how to conduct a home COVID-19 test during a press briefing Dec. 22, 2021 via Zoom.

“This is an incredible milestone for our state, and I want to thank every New Mexican who has helped to make this possible,” said DOH Deputy Secretary Dr. Laura Parajon in the release.

Eddy County remained behind the State of New Mexico in COVID-19 vaccinations with 64 percent of residents with at least one dose. Fifty0six percent of Eddy County had both COVID-19 doses, per DOH.

DOH did not have percentages of Eddy County residents who received the COVID-19 booster vaccinations. Across New Mexico, 40 percent of those 18 years and older received a booster shot as of Jan. 21, records show.

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COVID-19 remained high in Eddy County’s younger population

According to DOH demographics, COVID-19 rose for Eddy County residents ages 10 through 39.

DOH data stated 2,159 COVID-19 cases for those ages 10 through 19, 2,481 in the 20 to 29 age group and 2,684 for the 30 to 39 demographic.

For the 40 to 40 age group, 2,186 cases were reported, along with 121 in the 90 and older group.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Eddy County COVID-19 infections continue at or near triple digits