ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is seeing a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases.
The state Health Department reported Wednesday that another 271 cases have been confirmed, marking one of the highest daily totals in months. The seven-day rolling average has increased to about 160 cases per day. That's a jump of nearly 25% over the previous week.
The increasing numbers come as the vaccination rate has plateaued with just over 64% of New Mexico residents 18 and older being fully vaccinated. Nationally, health officials blame the delta variant and flattening vaccination rates for cases tripling across the U.S. over a two-week period.