LANL develops model to predict spread of COVID-19

Posted: Apr 21, 2020 / 12:10 PM MDT / Updated: Apr 21, 2020 / 08:43 PM MDT

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (KRQE) – Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed their own forecast for the spread of the coronavirus.

It’s a model states are using to help establish a time frame on social distancing and restrictions on businesses. It builds on a decade of past experience in forecasting contagions from the seasonal flu to the ebola virus.

The lab’s new COVID-19 model also shows the likelihood that a state has hit its daily infections peak and may be on a downward path.

New Mexico Coronavirus Resource Guide

More Coronavirus New Mexico Stories

Culinary arts, botany could be added to high school core class options

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – One state lawmaker wants to change the graduation requirements for New Mexico high school students. Students would still have to earn credits in subjects like science and math but this proposal, House Bill 83, would also allow them to focus on their future in the workforce.

Although the pandemic has kept a lot of kids out of school, one Democratic state lawmaker has an idea for when they're back in class. "We're just trying to capture the varying interests of our students and what may be available to them in terms of careers and in higher education," said Rep. G. Andres Romero (D- Albuquerque).

Read the Full Article

New Mexico launches statewide vaccine dashboard

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - On Thursday, the New Mexico Department of Health launched a new online vaccine dashboard. The site will provide up-to-date statistics about the state's vaccination effort, including vaccines received in New Mexico, vaccines administered, vaccines administered in the last seven days, and total registrants to New Mexico's vaccine registration website.

There will also be a map with the location of every active vaccination provider in the state. The Department of Health is pleased to provide a clear window into our state’s vaccination efforts,” said DOH Secretary-Designate Dr. Tracie Collins in a news release. “This website allows New Mexicans to track our state’s progress - and we encourage everyone to play a role in that progress by registering for vaccine.”

Read the Full Article

Gov. highlights areas of improvement in New Mexico’s COVID fight

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) - While most of the state remains in the red with an infection rate too high to reopen, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham did deliver some positive news on Thursday. The governor points out 11 counties have positivity rates below 10%, which is inching closer to the 5% threshold. Union County has reached the yellow level and Harding County is the lone county in green.

"We really want to celebrate that we're getting testing done, we're stopping the rate of infection, which means we're stopping spread and we're creating that balance between managing in the virus, with the virus present, but introducing some risk. So, great job," the governor said in a press conference Thursday.