Local News

Health officials urge caution ahead of the holidays, citing RSV, flu, and COVID surges

KUNM | By Jered Ebenreck

Published November 21, 2022 at 7:04 AM MST

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The COVID Community Levels Map is the current metric that combines transmission with hospitalization data like COVID19 admissions and ICU use. Current CDC/NMDOH guidance to the general public is determined by this metric. This is for New Mexico from November 16, 2022, reflecting reported data from 11/9-11/16/22. The map is reflective of the previous week, not a projection.

CDC COVID Tracker / CDC

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CDC Community Transmission Map, used by health care workers, like Acting Secretary Dr. David Scrase at New Mexico Department of Health, to advise at-risk patients, is the CDC metric of risk, determined by transmission and test positivity rates. It was used by NMDOH and CDC to advise localities before February 25, 2022. This is for New Mexico from November 16, 2022, reflecting reported data from 11/9-11/16/22. The map is reflective of the previous week, not a projection.

CDC COVID tracker / CDC

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New Mexico Department of Health image showing the increased share of cases caused by new variants, BQ.1 & BF.7.

NMDOH Epidemiology Reports / NMDOH Epidemiology Reports

According to the latest CDC data accounting for hospitalization and case rates, four New Mexico counties, including Bernalillo and Sandoval, have high community levels of COVID-19. But in terms of just the spread of the virus, 21 counties show the highest levels of transmission. As hospitals fill with sick children and adults from various respiratory viruses, state health officials cautioned people to use masks and get the latest Omicron booster.

Acting Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase, said the surge in COVID cases in New Mexico is driven by new Omicron variants BQ.1 and BF.7.

The new variants are dangerous because they evade treatments like Evusheld, used for the immunocompromised

“While it was effective against BA.5, it is not effective against BQ.1 and BF.7, the new variants. And unfortunately, neither is Bebtelovimab," Scrase said.

Scrase also said Paxlovid andRemdesivir are still effective at reducing severe illness or hospitalization for the new variants.

Deputy Secretary Laura Parajón told a story of her own recent COVID infection. She has asthma, was fully up to date on her vaccinations, and wears her mask everywhere, but thinks she still got COVID from her child.

“People think …, 'Oh, well, if I get the booster, I'm not going to get COVID.' Unfortunately, Omicron is really, really infectious. It's super contagious,” Parajón said.

She did not test positive until the third day of her symptoms. She credits vaccination and Paxlovid with keeping her out of the hospital.

When asked what people should do approaching the holidays, Scrase recommended wearing N95 masks on airplanes and to pay attention to symptoms. “Don't go to Thanksgiving dinner if you're sick. Don't mingle with the rest of your family over the holidays if you're sick.”

Scrase reminded people that N95 masks should be worn indoors if you live in a county with high COVID levels. Officials appealed for New Mexicans to get the new bivalent booster to protect against serious illness. Only 17.5% of those over 18 are up to date with their COVID vaccinations in New Mexico.