A top Sonoran health official said recently that the state is ready to receive doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Health Secretary Enrique Clausen said that it will be available in the state sometime during the first months of 2021, according to a recent release. Frontline health workers will be prioritized in the first round. State authorities are also in contact with vaccine manufacturers in case the federal government authorizes individual states to acquire doses themselves.

“It’s very important to not lower the guard, and continue with safe distance and the use of facemasks,” said Dr. Alberto Monteverde, an Hermosillo physician who has treated COVID-19 patients since March.

Deaths have been steadily rising over the last several months. On Dec. 31, 56 new deaths were recorded, one of the highest daily tolls of the pandemic so far, according to data tracked by the University of Sonora.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been updated to clarify the status of the Dec. 31 daily death toll.