ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Fewer people filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 9, and state officials are hopeful that number will decline even more as New Mexico businesses prepare for the relaxing of restrictions beginning Saturday.

Numbers from the federal government show jobless claims dropped by about 35% from the previous week. In all, New Mexico has processed more than 139,000 claims since mid-March, and more than 96,000 employees — or one in eight eligible workers in the state — were receiving benefits as of early May.

The latest numbers come as New Mexico moves into the next phase of reopening. Under the public health order announced earlier his week, most retailers can operate at 25% of their maximum building occupancy. While the governor still is asking people to remain home except for essential outings, people will be required to wear face coverings when out in public.

Early voting locations open in each county starting Saturday. But officials have said there will be fewer voting centers, poll workers and voters allowed inside each location as a result of the public health order.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and health and election officials planned to provide an update Friday afternoon on COVID-19 efforts in the state.

New Mexico has more than 5,500 coronavirus cases, with the northwest corner of the state still seeing surges. The latest numbers also show more than 200 people are hospitalized and 242 have died.

McKinley County, which includes Gallup and part of the Navajo Nation, accounted for more than one-third of the new cases reported by the state Thursday. State modeling also shows Native Americans are among the hardest hit, with a hospitalization rate of nearly 214 per 100,000 people.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

In other developments:

— Officials with New Mexico's largest Catholic diocese say parishes will be cautiously joining other entities as part of the state's phased reopening plan. Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester says that under the first phase of lifting the suspension of publicly attended Mass, attendance will be limited to 10% of a building's capacity. Masks, social distancing and increased cleaning also will be mandatory.

— Transportation officials say the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter train that runs between Belen and Santa Fe will remain offline through May 31. Officials are working on new protocols and practices to ensure safety before resuming passenger service.