Lincoln County still in the 'red' as coronavirus cases climb to record daily highs

Lincoln County remained a "red" county as New Mexico's southeast communities continued to struggle to contain the spread of COVID-19 and cases of the virus climbed to record daily highs.

Lincoln County had 307 total cases of the virus as of Oct. 20, per data from the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH). Lincoln County is one of 10 counties in New Mexico considered "red," or which continued to record a COVID-19 positive test rate higher than 5 percent, per the DOH.

Per DOH, Lincoln County's rate of positive cases was 7 percent on Tuesday.

While only four deaths were recorded in the county among residents, statewide the virus was linked to 935 deaths, including that of an Eddy County teenager who was believed to be the first young person's death related to the virus in the state.

As the DOH reported that over 1 million tests had been administered, Lincoln County Medical Center reported it had administered 115 tests to patients either experiencing symptoms or undergoing a scheduled procedure.

MORE:4th COVID-19 related death reported in Lincoln County

Lincoln County Medical Center Chief Executive Todd Oberheu in an email indicated that the Medical Center was caring for five COVID-19 positive patients in the last week. Since the virus reached the state, Oberheu noted that the Medical Center had treated 24 patients with the virus.

'Learning to live with the virus'

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a live stream at 1 p.m. on Tuesday said New Mexicans were "learning to live with the virus as we approach the winter time."

Among the updates to the state's emergency public health orders, Lujan Grisham announced that any business in New Mexico with more than four rapid response events in a two-week period could be closed for 14 days.

It applies to food and drink establishments, lodgings or retail establishments. Also applying to food and drink establishments, Lujan Grisham announced that employees would need to complete COVID-19 safety training by Oct. 30 and consent to spot testing of employees. Restaurants would only be allowed to operate at 25% capacity and would be required to keep a log of customers who dine on site for three weeks, she said. 

LIVE BLOG:Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham talks COVID-19 surge in New Mexico

She said the new measures go into effect Oct. 23.

"Food and drink remain a top source, as I said earlier, of possible exposure," Lujan Grisham said.

"We have to find a way to safely do indoor dining and lower the rate and spread of infection. We think these structures, these strict COVID safe practices, are the prudent way forward."

'Significant caution' needed as cases increase

Secretary of New Mexico's Department of the Environment James Kenney said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon that "significant caution and concern is warranted" as the state's number of cases increase.

He said the number of cases per age group had reached new records for weekly number of cases — the 35 to 64 year old age bracket had the highest uptick in cases.

Full reporting on that event can be found online at www.ruidosonews.com as the event was scheduled after the Ruidoso News' deadline.

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@currentargus.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.