A key COVID-19 vaccination rate in Eddy County rose from Friday to Monday, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH).
As of Monday, 48 percent of county residents received both COVID-19 vaccinations, DOH data indicated.
On Sept. 17, 46 percent of Eddy County residents were fully vaccinated. The percentage of residents with one dose remained unchanged during the four-day period at 56 percent, per DOH.
DOH officials expressed hope during a Sept. 15 statewide press conference Eddy County would reach 50 percent for full vaccinations by October.
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Eddy County lagged behind the rest of New Mexico in COVID-19 vaccinations as of Monday read DOH figures. In New Mexico, 80 percent had at least one dose and 70 percent had both vaccinations.
DOH said Eddy County recorded the 174th COVID-19 death Friday as a woman in her 70s was hospitalized.
No COVID-19 deaths were reported in Eddy County Saturday, Sunday or Monday by DOH.
DOH cited 80 new COVID-19 cases in Eddy County on Friday and 79 during the Saturday to Monday period.
Carlsbad was fourth in New Mexico’s top-10 zip codes for most new COVID-19 cases with 54 during the weekend reporting period.
Rio Rancho was first with 64 and Hobbs was second with 61 new cases Monday, a DOH press release read.
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As of Monday, Eddy County had 9,943 people with COVID-19, per DOH and Artesia General Hospital data.
The northern Eddy County medical facility said 6,216 Carlsbad residents had COVID-19 and 3,039 in Artesia contracted the virus.
DOH indicated 107,614 Eddy County residents were tested for COVID-19 and 8,410 recovered.
Artesia General’s website stated 18 Eddy County residents were hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms. Five were in Artesia and eight residents were on ventilators, two were in Artesia.
Across New Mexico Monday, 310 people were hospitalized for COVID-19, DOH said.
DOH stated COVID-19 remained high in Eddy County’s younger population as of Monday with 1,293 total cases for those aged 10 to 19.
The demographic breakdown shown cases rose to 1,682 for those 20 through 29. Cases plateaued to 1,785 for those 30 to 39.
DOH said the number of cases dropped in Eddy County’s older demographics.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
