NM reports 175 virus cases, 5 more deaths
May 22—SANTA FE — New Mexico reported just 175 new coronavirus cases Friday as the number of infections remained well below the state's target of 210 a day
The Department of Health has set a statewide and county-level goal of having 10 new cases a day per 100,000 people.
The state on Friday also reported five more virus-related deaths — including three adults from Bernalillo County — pushing the pandemic death toll to 4,131 state residents.
The fatalities were three men ranging in age from their 60s, 70s and 90s in Bernalillo County; a woman in her 50s from Doña Ana County; and a man in his 70s from Eddy County.
Vaccination rates inched up slightly in Friday's update.
About 53.4% of the state's population 16 and older is fully vaccinated and 63.8% have received at least one dose.
The Department of Health's goal is to reach 60% full vaccinations among residents 16 and older — a threshold the agency says would trigger the lifting of capacity restrictions on businesses.
New Mexico is also seeing an increasing number of youngsters 12 to 15 getting a COVID-19 vaccine. They just became eligible for the Pfizer shot earlier this month.
About 10.4% of the state's 12- to 15-year-olds have received at least one dose.
"We're making significant progress in getting our middle and high school students vaccinated," Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said earlier this week.
