CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - Cibola County's fight against COVID-19 continues to rage, but the tides are starting to turn. Approximately 500 vaccinations have been given out to combat the corona virus. Of the two approved vaccines, both require two doses of shots within a few weeks of each other.
Hospital staff, specifically those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle, were the first ones to be vaccinated. Currently Cibola County is rolling out the vaccine to other essential services providers like first responders, firefighters, ambulance drivers and staff, and law enforcement.
Currently New Mexico is looking forward to new shipments of vaccines, but it was unclear at press time when those will arrive to begin vaccinating the public. The office of New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said that there will be a conference within the week to discuss future vaccine shipments.
Cibola County Emergency Manager Dustin Middleton said that approximately 500 vaccina tions have been completed across the county after local health partners and hospitals/health centers received doses of the vaccine.
When can I get vaccinated?
Right now, New Mexico is awaiting more doses as the rollout of vaccinations continues for frontline workers. Tt may be another month or two before it is available to members ofthe public, according to officials.
Nurses in long-term care facilities have begun to receive vaccinations and residents at these facilities will soon receive the vaccine as well.
Despite rumors, the New Mexico Environment Department and Cibola County Emergency Manager's Office report that there is not an outbreak at any long-term care facility in Cibola.
There will be a meeting by the end of the week for emergency managers and other people overseeing vaccine rollouts across the state to determine who gets the vaccine next.
When its available, how can I get a vaccinated?
Middleton explained that there is a website available like the one used for COVID-19 testing.
People must register for the vaccine; right now the New Mexico Department of Health has opened pre-registration in prepa ration for the influx that is sure to come once the vaccine is available for public use.
The vaccine is not mandatory; residents interested in receiving the vaccine may pre-register here: https:/ /cvvaccine .nmheal th. org/
The process will be like that of getting tested for the virus. A hub will be set up and community members can drive into the site, be confirmed that they can have the shot, and then drive through to be vaccinated, according to Middleton.
The county emergency manager cautioned that every person who gets the vaccine will be asked to park and wait in their vehicle for 15 minutes after being inoculated just in case of an allergic reaction. People with other health conditions, like diabetes, will be asked to stay 30 minutes to make sure they do not suffer any reactions.
"We just want to make sure that no one gets into a car accident or anything after the shot," Middleton said.
Health officials emphasized that people with severe allergies should get the vaccine in a hospital setting or other facility where medical assistance will be available, in the event of an allergic reaction.
How many people need to be vaccinated before we can return to normal?
Middleton said that it is unclear at this point how many people need to be inoculated before residents can start loosening restrictions and return to pre-pandemic lifestyles.
At this point, the best course of action is for people to continue wearing masks and social distancing until the vaccine is available or in widespread use. These remain the best tools in Cibola's arsenal to combat the virus.
Can I get COVID-19 after being vaccinated?
Yes. Emergency Manager Middleton explained that the vaccine is just like any other vaccine, people may still be able to get the disease, but the vaccine will limit how ill a person becomes. The inoculation will reduce the individual's recovery time. The process is much faster because vaccinated individuals' bodies have learned how to fight the virus.
Where is Cibola today?
As the winter holiday season draws to a close Cibola County stands, as of press time, at 2,205 total cases; 1,057 recoveries; and 68 deaths.
On Monday, Dec. 21 , Cibola County had 2,022 total positives, an increase of 6.2 percent this week. For the same date Cibola had 61 deaths, an increase of 7.9 percent this week.
The county currently has 1 ,057 people who have recovered, meaning that there are 1,148 active cases in Cibola.
Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, NM, stands at 418 total positive cases; Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants, NM, stands at six total positive cases; Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center in Grants, NM, stands at 99 total positive cases. These are the total cases from the beginning of the pandemic through today. These are not necessarily the active cases in these facilities since the state does not publicly track the re coveries.
Cibola County remains in the red, meaning that it is in the highest tier of restrictions possible. The virus is running out-of-control in the county according to state standards.
Basin Coordinated Healthcare, located at 911 N. First Street Suite B in Grants, NM, is on the state watchlist after two COVID-19 rapid responses were held at the business within 14 days. The state requires any business that has four or more rapid responses within 14 days to shut down; currently no businesses in Cibola County are shut down due to that regulation.
COVID-19 testing
Testing locations have changed. For the safety of triage workers and traffic controllers the location for COVID-19 testing has been moved from Roosevelt Avenue behind Smith's grocery store to 2001 ClifLear Avenue in Grants, which is the old armory near the Cibola Senior Citizens Center.
To be tested residents must register at https://cvtestreg.nmhealth. org/
Community members must register in advance for testing or risk being turned away at the site because there are a limited number of tests kits available, according to officials.