New Mexico COVID-19 news recap

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On Tuesday, the state of New Mexico reported 691 new cases of COVID-19 and twenty additional deaths related to the disease. This came with 11,059 more tests reported than Monday, for a positivity rate of 6.25 percent. DOH also reported 643 hospitalizations for COVID-19, which was 32 more than reported on Monday.
- The seven-day average has dropped under 1,000, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
As of Tuesday’s update, the state Department of Health said the state had received 175,750 doses of COVID-19 vaccine (10,000 more than on Monday) and administered 137,531 (5,517 more than on Monday), including 44,106 in the last seven days.
- Hospitals say over a quarter of workers have refused the COVID-19 vaccine so far, but are hopeful education on its effectiveness will increase that number, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.
  - This comes as hospitals prepare to shift to vaccinating larger numbers of groups of the public, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
- Rio Rancho Public Schools will have a vaccine clinic for educators and other school staff on Friday, KRQE-TV reported.
- Organizers of a vaccine clinic in Clovis on Monday said the event went smoothly, The Eastern New Mexico News reported.
KOB-TV spoke to an Albuquerque pathologist who usually helps diagnose cancer, but has shifted to focus on COVID-19.
The state Department of Workforce Solutions said it has paid out $3 billion in unemployment benefits since the start of the pandemic in March, according to KRQE-TV.
College sports will be able to practice in New Mexico again, as long as they follow precise guidelines, the Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Journal reported.
While hospitalizations have declined, health officials still warn that New Mexicans need to continue taking COVID-19 precautions, KOB-TV reported.
Health inspectors are still finding restaurants in Albuquerque that have allowed indoor dining, even though it has been against state health rules for months, KRQE-TV reported. Those with tents for outdoor dining must have two flaps up for them to qualify as outside.
Hobbs Municipal Schools have added MERV 13 air filters to their HVAC systems, the Hobbs News-Sun reported.
The Navajo Nation Office of the Controller began sending checks from the Nation’s CARES Fun Hardship Assistance Program, the Farmington Daily Times reported.
Graduate students are eligible for childcare financial assistance through a state program from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, though few have taken advantage, the Daily Lobo reported.