Tests for every household are now more accessible

SANTA FE: The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) encourages all New Mexicans to order free at-home COVID-19 tests to your home. Knowing if you have COVID-19 can help you seek proper treatment and prevent you from spreading the virus to your family and community. Tests require a quick swab inside each nostril, and results can be read in just minutes. NMDOH recently updated our website to make it easier to find testing options by going to FindaTestNM.org. Simply enter your zip code to identify the different test options available to you:

Mail order free at-home COVID-19 tests for when you need them!

COVIDtests.gov: 4 free tests for every New Mexico household, shipped in 7-12 days.

Accesscovidtest.org: 5 free tests for New Mexico households in zip codes that may have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, shipped in 2-5 days.

Pick-up a free at-home COVID-19 test in your community for when you need them!

Approximately 2 million free at-home COVID-19 tests are being distributed in New Mexico communities while supplies last. Visit FindaTestNM.org to find a location near you. 

PCR laboratory testing locations for people experiencing symptoms: If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need a test now, you can also find a PCR laboratory test location near you at FindaTestNM.org. 

For those without internet access, you can call the NMDOH hotline at 1-855-600-3455 to get assistance. You should get tested if: 

• You have symptoms of COVID-19: cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and/or loss of taste or smell.
• You have been a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 (within 6 feet or less for more than 15 minutes).
• You are required to present a COVID-19 test to your employer, educational institution, or another entity.

Learn more about rapid at-home COVID-19 testing and what to do with test results at: https://cv.nmhealth.org/selftest/. Testing is one of several ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 along with primary vaccination, getting your booster dose, wearing a mask indoors, and social distancing.

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As of February 7, 2022:

*Includes results from IHS & NMDOH

*Since March 2020

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Tribal Offices are closed today, February 3, 2022, due to snow.

Stay safe and warm!

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The ERA Program provided over $1.5 million in rent and utility assistance in the last six months. Due to overwhelming demand and limited funds the following changes are now in effect.

• January 2022 is the last month utilities will be paid. Tenants are responsible for their utility
  (electric, gas, phone, internet, etc.) bills starting February 2022. The ERA Program only paid bills
  from April 2021 to January 2022. If you had an outstanding balance prior to April 2021 and did
  not make a payment, the same outstanding balance remains. ERA Program guidelines identified
  a specific period of time we could provide financial assistance.
• March 2022 is the last month rent will be paid for off reservation tenants.
• March 31, 2022 is the last night hotel rooms will be paid for.
• The changes above DO NOT apply to the elderly.

The ERA Program requested an additional $2.2 million to continue the program and the Treasury Department approved $117,000 additional funding.

Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program

The HAF Program is paused due to funding. We received the initial 10% and spent those funds. The Treasury Department extended the funding date for the remaining 90% three times. All Indian Country HAF programs are experiencing the same delays, not just Mescalero. The HAF program will resume once funding is available. The following changes are now in effect.

• The HAF Program is paused.
• January 2022 is the last month utilities will be paid.
• Mortgage assistance and repairs in process will continue.

Home Repair Program (Elderly & General)

The Home Repair Program will begin Thursday February 3rd. Available funds are for homes in Mescalero to address habitability issues and are limited to roofs, windows, bathrooms, flooring, and wood stoves. Priority is given to the elderly. Applications for the Home Repair Program (Elderly & General) can be picked up or emailed beginning Thursday February 3rd.

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** SPOTS ARE FILLED ** updated as of 1/28/22

World Spay Day is coming up! Before you visit the Ruidoso Animal Clinic be sure to completely fill out the authorization form below.

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More than a million tests expected by next week

SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) are securing over 1 million ihealth at-home rapid antigen tests for the state, to be initially distributed in areas of higher social vulnerability. So far, over 400,000 tests have been secured, with the remaining tests expected to arrive in the coming week.

“I am committed to doing everything we possibly can to get the resources needed, despite national testing shortages,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “I have directed the Department of Health to procure 1 million rapid tests every two weeks to ensure that every New Mexican has access to this critical tool in our fight against COVID-19.”

Home testing (or self testing) is one of several ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 along with primary vaccination, getting your booster dose, wearing a mask indoors, and social distancing. “Part of learning to live with COVID as we go forward is putting the tools to fight the virus into our home, and home testing is one of the tools that in the long run will enable us to manage this pandemic,” said David R. Scrase, M.D., Acting Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health.

In the next week, with the support of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the National Guard, these home test kits will be distributed to emergency managers across 26 counties to the 79 zip codes with the highest social vulnerability index (SVI). Tribal communities will also receive test kits. After this initial allocation of tests, the program will expand based on available supply of tests to include a pro-rata distribution to counties across the entire state. The Biden Administration is also launching a mail order home test program available to the general public starting on January 19th.

Home tests can be completed in 15 minutes, allowing people to act quickly. Knowing if you are COVID positive allows you to let others know if they have been exposed, to stay home and/or seek timely medical attention. If you are unable to get a test and have symptoms of COVID, please assume that you have COVID, and follow COVID positive guidelines. NMDOH also has developed a webpage for home testing as well as a guide for what to do for quarantine and isolation depending on the results of your test.

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As of January 12, 2022:

All numbers include cases identified by NMDOH and IHS

New Positives Since January 10, 2022 = 37

New Breakthroughs Since January 10, 2022 = 21

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