NM reports no COVID deaths reported in Eddy County before Thanksgiving

No one in Eddy County died from COVID-19 symptoms before the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH).

DOH indicated no COVID-19 deaths in Eddy County for nearly two weeks as 213 people have died since the first death was reported last year, and deaths were frequently reported throughout 2021. 

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Two other southeast New Mexico counties did report their own COVID-19 deaths the day before Thanksgiving, DOH stated in a news release.

A man in his 60s from Chaves County died. He was hospitalized with underlying medical conditions.

DOH said 216 Chaves County residents had died from COVID-19 as of Nov. 24.

DOH also cited the death of a Lea County man who may have died at least 30 days ago. He was in his 50s and had underlying medical conditions.

DOH said COVID-19 related deaths are reported when a death certificate has been issued and some death certificates are delayed for a month or more due to insufficient information.

As of Nov. 24, 279 Lea County residents died of COVID-19, per DOH. 

Thirty-seven new COVID-19 cases were reported in Eddy County Nov. 24 by DOH. Total cases were 11,590 and 121,343 were tested and 10, 636 had recovered.

COVID-19 impacted Eddy County’s younger residents, read DOH demographic data.

In the 10 through 19 age group the total number of cases was 1,552. For ages 20 through 29, the DOH reported 1,938 COVID-19 infections. The 30 through 39 category had the most cases at 2,103.

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Each subsequently older category had less infections, with the the 90 and older age group reporting the lowest COVID-19 case load at 101, the data read.

Eddy County lagged behind the State of New Mexico in vaccination percentages before Thanksgiving.

As of Nov. 24, 85 percent of New Mexicans had at least one COVID-19 shot and 74 percent were fully vaccinated.

In Eddy County, 61 percent of residents had at least one dose and 53 percent had completed the vaccination, per DOH figures.

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Eddy County Spokesperson Jeri Strong said the Moderna vaccine was not available during the COVID-19 vaccination clinic Nov. 29 in Carlsbad.

She said the clinic had the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

“The Moderna vaccine has been ordered and will be available at the following scheduled clinic on Monday, December 6,” Strong said.

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