Update: August 13, 2020
You may be getting a knock on your door from someone with the U.S. Census Bureau this week. The Census has been following up at households nationwide who have not yet reported for the 2020 Census.
We encourage everyone to cooperate and help make sure that we have as accurate and complete of a Census total for Carlsbad and Eddy County as we can. The numbers help make sure we get our share of federal funding for the next decade, but they also greatly aid us in terms of bringing new businesses to the area and even with possibly adding legislative positions to make sure we have fair representation in Southeastern New Mexico. Each person not counted in Eddy County represents thousands of dollars that might have gone here. Over the 10 year census period, an undercount of 5,000 represents lost funding of $187 million that could have been used for child services, health care and roads.
By August 9, the Self-Response for Eddy County was believed to be 51.6%, which is slightly below the state average. Thanks to a lot of effort, however, our response rate is higher than it was in 2010. There are a number of challenges in conducting a census in our area, especially given the high number of temporary employees. We have contacted our legislative delegation and they have all been supportive in terms of encouraging the Census program to consider water use studies and other methods to make sure they have an accurate total for southeastern New Mexico. In the meantime, the best thing we can do is to make sure everyone we know has been counted.
For residents who have not filled out a Census form, the Bureau is conducting follow-up. This process began Aug. 11 and will continue through Sept. 30. The Census data is confidential and none of the information will be shared with any other Federal Government agency or any state of local entities. If you never received a census code for some reason, please call the Census phone number at 844-330-2020. The Spanish Language Census number is 844-468-2020.
On Wednesday, we were informed of 18 new positive COVID-19 cases for Eddy County. According to the DOH website, that number included 5 new positives within the 88220 zip code (Carlsbad), 10 to the 88210 zip code (Artesia) and 3 to the 88256 zip code (Loving). There were also 14 new positives reported on Tuesday, with most of them coming from the Carlsbad zip code.
As of Thursday morning, Eddy County has now had a total of 336 positive COVID-19 cases, according to the Department of Health. In its August 12 update, Artesia General Hospital reports 237 active cases, 95 recoveries, one current COVID-related Eddy County hospitalization and 4 COVID-related deaths for Eddy County. The hospital also reports that 9,375 total tests have been conducted here.
The Pecos Valley Physician Group has recently announced several new health care experts have come to the area.
Katherine Kleinsteuber, who holds a DNP through Texas Tech University, has joined the Sandya Surgical and Vein Center in Carlsbad. She previously was with another practice here. Nurse Practitioner Laurie Pittman originally came to the area several months ago in Urgent Care but has now moved over to Women’s Health Services.
We welcome both of these women to Carlsbad and know they will do a great job here.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway