The number of new COVID-19 new cases in New Mexico climbed to 240 on April 27, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.

At the same time, however, the number of hospitalizations dipped slightly, from 51 to 49, with four patients on ventilators.

There were nine new deaths, down from 11 the day before.

In total, there were 521,823 cases and 7,465 deaths in the state.

The state’s trend is generally following the national trend, where the number of cases are rising from a sub-variant, but the number of deaths and hospitalizations are either steady or declining.

The Mayo Clinic, however, reports that the number of cases could double nationwide by May. Health officials urge residents to get their vaccinations or boosters — especially the immunosuppressed and wear masks if you feel that it will help.

The CDC Tuesday issued a study that reveals that more than half of the population in the United States jas been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus at least once.

Most of that was driven by the outbreak of Omicron, the study said.