COVID-19 cases slowly declining; Another deadly month in Cibola

CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Cibola recorded six more deaths through the month of November, tying last month as a one of the more deadly months for COVID-19 patients in Cibola County.

COVID-19 cases continue to rise regularly, but the trend through November is indicative of a society that is vaccinated and defended against the virus. In what has been a slow process for Cibola County, 15,454 people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, helping to keep active cases down. Through November 335 people became fully vaccinated, more than in October but still less than in September.

As of press time, there are 437 active cases of COVID-19 in Cibola, this is a far cry from the 480 active cases Cibola County started the month with.

Just as with the past situations in Cibola, when it appears the citizens finally have the upper hand on the virus, a new situation emerges. On November 25 scientists in Botswana, South Africa, discovered a new variant of COVID-19 that is being called Omicron by the World Health Organization.

Another deadly month

Six new deaths were reported by the New Mexico Department of Health in Cibola through the month of November, as of press time.

The new deaths mirror October’s death count, which also stands at six.

COVID-19 vaccinations are the best, only, and most effective tools at stopping serious illness and death from this disease which has claimed many lives across Cibola County, according to multiple sources including Cibola General Hospital, the Cibola County Emergency Manager’s Office, the New Mexico Department of Health, the US Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. Sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination at https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/my-registration.html

Hospitals in New Mexico are operating at Crisis Standards of Care, meaning that, if necessary, they can take a COVID-19 patient off a ventilator if that ventilator can be better used to help another patient.

What fueled November’s increase in cases?

Much of November was dominated by a Halloween surge of cases.

Beginning Nov. 8, the Halloween surge contributed to a large number of COVID-19 cases in Cibola.

On Nov. 1 Cibola reported 480 active cases. On November 8 Cibola County reported 423 active COVID-19 cases. Thanks to the Halloween surge this decrease of active cases wouldn’t last, on Nov. 15 Cibola had 457 active cases which would only fall to 454 active cases Nov. 22.

On Nov. 29 Cibola had 437 active cases, a decrease of 8.95 percent in active cases through the county.

The 20–29-year-old demographic led Cibola’s growth in COVID-19 cases in November, adding 67 new cases. They were followed by the 10–19-year-old demographic, who added 64 new cases. The third highest increase of cases came in the 30-39 age demographic, adding 62 new cases.

Adding the fewest COVID-19 cases were the 70-79 age group, adding 21 new cases. The 80-89 age group added seven new cases, and for the first time since September the 90-99 age group added one new COVID case.

Omicron

Omicron is a letter in the Greek alphabet and the next variant of COVID-19 that was discovered in Botswana, South Africa. As of press time there is not enough information about Omicron to determine what kind of an impact it will have on the United States or on Cibola County.

Delta is the last major variant of concern labeled by the World Health Organization that was particularly devastating. As of press time Omicron has been found in multiple countries but not yet the United States. Omicron was labeled

Omicron was labeled as a variant of concern because, “We still have more questions than answers about the effect of Omicron on transmission, severity of disease, and the effectiveness of tests, therapeutics and vaccines,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Until more information is discovered about Omicron, President Joe Biden cautioned citizens not to panic, and in a statement to the country, said, “I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response team, about the Omicron variant, which is spreading through Southern Africa. As a precautionary measure until we have more information, I am ordering additional air travel restrictions from South Africa and seven other countries. These new restrictions will take effect on November 29. As we move forward, we will continue to be guided by what the science and my medical team advises.

“For now, I have two important messages for the American people, and one for the world community.

“First, for those Americans who are fully vaccinated against severe COVID illness – fortunately, for the vast majority of our adults — the best way to strengthen your protection is to get a booster shot, as soon as you are eligible. Boosters are approved for all adults over 18, six months past their vaccination and are available at 80,000 locations coast-to-coast. They are safe, free, and convenient. Get your booster shot now, so you can have this additional protection during the holiday season.

“Second, for those not yet fully vaccinated: get vaccinated today. This includes both children and adults. America is leading the world in vaccinating children ages 5-11, and has been vaccinating teens for many months now – but we need more Americans in all age groups to get this lifesaving protection. If you have not gotten vaccinated, or have not taken your children to get vaccinated, now is the time.

“Finally, for the world community: the news about this new variant should make clearer than ever why this pandemic will not end until we have global vaccinations. The United States has already donated more vaccines to other countries than every other country combined. It is time for other countries to match America’s speed and generosity.

“In addition, I call on the nations gathering next week for the World Trade Organization ministerial meeting to meet the U.S. challenge to waive intellectual property protections for COVID vaccines, so these vaccines can be manufactured globally. I endorsed this position in April; this news today reiterates the importance of moving on this quickly.”