COMMUNITY

COVID-19 update Nov. 18: Salvation Army kettles removed

Nicole Maxwell
Alamogordo Daily News

Around Thanksgiving, the jingle of bells rung by volunteers in red aprons standing next to red kettles greets Alamogordo shoppers.

This year, things are different. The Salvation Army Red Kettles and bell ringers, which had been brought out early this year, have been removed due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.

"With heightened restrictions imposed statewide by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, The Salvation Army has made the difficult decision to remove all its iconic Red Kettles from storefronts across the state until further notice," a news release from the Salvation Army of New Mexico states.

A bell ringer in front of a Salvation Army Red Kettle.

The Salvation Army is still accepting donations through its website or by texting RedKettles to 51555.

Individuals or groups can also sign up for a Virtual Red Kettle through the Salvation Army website.

“This was not an easy decision, but the health and safety of our clients, officers, staff, volunteers, and all New Mexicans is of the highest priority,” said Lt. Colonel Kelly Pontsler, Commander of The Salvation Army Southwest Division.

More:COVID-19 Update Nov. 16: Holloman Air Force Base goes to HPCON Charlie due to COVID-19

Salvation Army Red Kettle donations are about 22 percent of the annual donations the Salvation Army of New Mexico receives. These donations help about 125,000 New Mexicans each year, the news release states.

COVID-19 in Otero County by the numbers

Otero County reported 42 COVID-19 positive cases on Nov. 17 bringing the total reported COVID-19 cases to 922 reported since March 2020, according to the state Department of Health.

The state Department of Health (DOH) shows that 221 person in the County reported to have recovered and 22 people have died to COVID-19.

Otero County residents have taken 26,218 COVID-19 tests with a positivity rate of 10.5 percent.

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The positive cases of the virus throughout the state are also rising with 2,112 new positive COVID-19 cases reported Nov. 17, a news release from the Governor's Office states.

The statewide total of positive COVID-19 cases is 67,559, with 26,338 reported recoveries and 1,264 deaths reported due to COVID-19.

There have been about 1.4 million COVID-19 tests performed in New Mexico since March 2020.

Otero County on the Rapid Response Watchlist

  • Alamogordo Imaging Center: 3 rapid responses
  • Alamogordo Title Company: 2 rapid responses
  • Albertson's Market (Alamogordo): 2 rapid responses
  • City of Alamogordo-Admin: 2 rapid responses
  • Loco Credit Union: 2 rapid responses
  • Otero Federal Credit Union: 2 rapid responses
  • Rustic Cafe: 2 rapid responses
  • Wal-Mart Supercenter (New York Avenue): 3 rapid responses

A rapid response is initiated when one or more employees at a business are positive for COVID-19.

Rapid responses include isolating positive cases, quarantining close contacts for 14 days and disinfecting affected areas.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.