By MIKE STOBBE and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — The nation’s top public health agency on Thursday relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into close contact with an infected person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet …

New Mexico governor lifts state’s indoor mask mandate SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared Thursday that the state’s mask mandate for indoor public spaces has been lifted. She made the surprise announcement at a news conference that followed the end of the 30-day legislative session. Until today, New Mexico and Hawaii were the only states …

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced on Wednesday that it is implementing revised federal guidance surrounding isolation and quarantine for COVID-19, effective on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. Background On Dec. 27, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reduced its recommended COVID guidelines for isolation (when you are sick or infected with COVID) and quarantine (following exposure) …

News-Sun Staff Report The COVID-19 variant of 0micron has arrived in Lea County, hospital leaders said on Monday. With that, they expect the county’s case to rapidly increase over the coming weeks, and predicting a peak happening somewhere around Jan. 24. If the variant follows its pattern like it has in other places, hospital leaders expect the numbers to rapidly …

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s state legislative complex will be open to the public during upcoming Legislative sessions, but only for those who provide proof of vaccination. New rules will also prohibit performances, advocacy booths and tours at the state capitol starting Dec. 6, when the Legislature meets for redistricting — setting new political boundaries based on 2020 …

N.M. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham administration issued a public health order extending the statewide requirement that face masks be worn in all indoor public spaces, with only limited exceptions and regardless of vaccination status. The extension of the mask wearing order will be effective through Dec. 10. Staffed hospital beds remain in dangerously short supply, as primarily unvaccinated individuals continue …

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — New Mexico already has among the highest U.S. unemployment rates and state Republican legislative leaders said Thursday that they fear President Joe Biden’s plan to require vaccinations or COVID-19 testing for large employers could do more damage to the job market of the poverty-stricken state. New Mexico Senate Republican Leader Greg Baca said the mandate is sowing …

SANTA FE – The statewide requirement that face masks be worn in all indoor public spaces, with only limited exceptions and regardless of vaccination status, will be effective through at least November 12, the Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday. The governor, acting upon the counsel and analysis of the state Medical Advisory Team and state health officials, …

A flood of COVID patients in Lea County is stretching local hospitals to the breaking point. “The scenario we’re facing is a disaster,” said Dan Springer, CEO of Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital. “We have done everything possible to accommodate patients. We’re just completely overwhelmed.” As of midday Tuesday, Covenant Hobbs was “beyond capacity,” Springer told the News-Sun, with 19 patients …

• Weekend vaccination clinics planned for Tasker Arena in Hobbs Lea County hospitals are facing a potential shortage of hospital beds to treat seriously ill patients diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Dan Springer, CEO of Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, and David Shaw, CEO of Nor-Lea Hospital District in Lovington, addressed the community via live social media press conference Tuesday, urging …