Angel Fire Fire Chief John Murtagh: New Mexico Department of Health says they will be able to double the amount of testing capability by next week and they are doubling the staff in their call centers to speed up the entire process. As of March 20, 2020 they have tested 3,814 people in New Mexico with 43 positive test results and 3771 negative results. Please continue to practice the recommended hygiene and social distancing.
Updated New Mexico COVID-19 cases: Now at 43
Mar 20, 2020 | Press Room
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Friday announced eight additional positive tests for COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- One female in Bernalillo County in her teens
- Two males in Bernalillo County in their 40s
- One male in Dona Ana County in his 20s
- One male in McKinley County in his 30s
- One female in Sandoval County in her teens
- One male in Sandoval County in his 80s
- One female in Taos County in 70s
Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 43 positive tests fro COVID-19:
- Bernillo County: 23
- Dona Ana County: 1
- McKinley County: 1
- Sandoval County: 6
- San Miguel county: 1
- Santa Fe County: 7
- Socorro County: 2
- Taos County: 2
The Department of Health has detected community spread. The agency reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive. To that end, additional restrictions enacted by order of the secretary of health Thursday are intended to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated by social distancing and isolation. Certain businesses are mandated closed; others have been instructed to limit operations. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.
The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.
State officials have vigorously encouraged all New Mexicans to practice social distancing procedures: stay home, particularly if you are sick. Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19. New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).
People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. This is allergy season, and allergy symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes, nose or throat do not indicate a need for testing. While the state is gratified that COVID-19 testing is increasingly available, we need to prioritize testing for persons with symptoms of COVID-19 infection – fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit www.newmexico.gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information. The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results
For more information and daily updates visit New Mexico Department of Health and Center for Disease Control.
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