Delta variant cases climbing in New Mexico
There are 87 confirmed cases of the delta variant but there's likely more than what's reported, according to the state's top doctor.
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Updated: 5:42 PM MDT Jul 21, 2021
Delta variant cases climbing in New Mexico
There are 87 confirmed cases of the delta variant but there's likely more than what's reported, according to the state's top doctor.
Share
Updated: 5:42 PM MDT Jul 21, 2021
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STELLA: HEY, R. WHEN YOU GET A COVID TEST YOU’RE EITHER POSITIVE OF NEGATE,IV WHHIC IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD. BUT THE STATE SAYS TESTING F VARIANTS IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN A YES OR NO RESULT, SO THEY ONLY DO A PORTION. THE DELTA VARIANIST SPREADING IN NEW MEXICO. >> WE’RE SEEING AN UPTICK INUR STATE, JUST LIKE WE ARE IN THE UNITED STATES. AND SO, YOU CAN EXPECTHO T NUMBERS TO GO UP AS THE WEEKS GO ON. STELLA: THE LATEST DATA FM ERO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWS THERE ARE 87 DELTA VARIANT CASES. BUT THERE’S LIKELY A LOT MEOR THAN WHAT’S REPORTED BECAUSEHE STATE ONLY SEQUENCES A SMALL PORTION OF COVID POSITIVE CASES FOR VARITS.AN >> WE DON’T SEQUENCE EVERY POSITIVE TEST, WE SEQUENCE A SAMP.LE STELLA: THE STATE SAYS THERE’S A LOT OF WORK NEEDED TO SEQUENCE ALL COVID POSITIVE CASES FOR THE DELTA VARIANT. IT’S SOMETHING THEY DON’T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO. THANKFULLY, THSTE ATE SAYS VACCINES APPEAR TO PREVENT SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FROM THE DELTA VARIT.AN AND THEY’RE HOPEFUL THE 64% OF FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE IN NEW MEXICO WILL HELPLO SW THE SPRE. >> I’M HOPING IT WILL SLOW THE RATE OF INCREASE OF THE DELTA VARIANT. I’M HOPING THE FACT THAT SO MANY OF US ARE VACCINATED IS REALLY GOING TO HELP THE STATE. STELLA: WHILE THE VACCINE APPEARS TO FEND OFF SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FROM THE DELTA VARIANT, THOSE BREAKTHROUGHA CASES CAN STILL HAPPEN. IN FACT, OF THE 87 DELTA CASES IN NEW MEXO,IC 10 EAR