Based on an online tally, as of May 1, New Mexico has 123 coronavirus casualties in a population of just over two million. That is 59 deaths per one million citizens, less than one-third of the country's total coronavirus casualties.

Just five percent of those screened in the state have been reported as positive. As of May 1, this is much lower than the national average of 16 percent of those screened. At the moment, only 172 patients with coronavirus are admitted in the state.

On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference to declare the prolonging of the state's stay-at-home order connected to the coronavirus disease as it continues to pose a genuine risk to people of all ages and in all New Mexico populations.

Apart from that, during a live stream briefing, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham cautioned that removing existing public health directives too soon would put the state's progress in reducing population distribution and putting the surge capacity of the public health system in jeopardy.


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The New Executive Order

Notwithstanding the ongoing spread, New Mexico as a state has started to flatten the curve, buying much-needed time to increase its healthcare system. They are approaching the "Preparation Phase" for steady, safe reopenings as a result of that hard work. Because of this, the revised public health directive relieves some limitations to begin calming economic pressure.

The description of the executive order was very particular: "All businesses, except those entities identified as 'essential businesses,' are hereby directed to reduce the in-person workforce at each business or business location by 100%, except as provided herein."

"The New Mexico Department of Public Safety, the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Department of the Environment, and all other State departments and agencies are authorized to take all appropriate steps to ensure compliance with this Order."

Dr. David Scrase of the Department of Human Services stated he predicts cases in New Mexico to continue to increase in the next six weeks, citing updated forecasts based on data from Los Alamos National Lab. The data foresees 7,200 Covid-19 cases by early June.

The governor declared that if data indicated New Mexico's retrenchment, it would pursue a different path and would no longer permit any reopening of business.

She encouraged citizens to appreciate the good news "in your house, with your family," never to take it easy on "social distancing," which generally prohibits five or more social gatherings and warn them to keep six feet apart from each other. Non-essential establishments stay closed, and citizens are encouraged to remain at home, apart from safety, health, and welfare-critical concerns.

She also indicated that everyday circumstances could look different until a vaccine is available to contain the disease.