ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's top health officials say the number of COVID-19 cases and the rate of transmission are on the rise, leaving the state trailing when it comes to two of its most important metrics. Human Services Secretary David Scrase acknowledged during a briefing Tuesday that if things don't change, the state will see the curve continue to rise. He said he would rather see New Mexicans following the health order already in place rather than the state imposing more mandates to limit spread. An additional 178 cases were reported Tuesday, pushing the total to more than 29,000 since the pandemic began.