Official Website of the Mescalero Apache Tribe

State introduces free at-home rapid testing program

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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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VACCINATION INCENTIVE EXPANSION PROGRAM – CLARIFICATIONS & REVISIONS

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The Tribal Council voted to expand the vaccine incentive program to include Tribal members (adults and children) and:

  1. All persons who can show proof of employment with the Tribe, a Tribal enterprise, Mescalero Agency – BIA (including BIA – Law Enforcement), or IHS-Mescalero Service Unit (must include a copy of his or her employee ID); and
  2. All persons who can show that they live on the Mescalero Apache Reservation (must show utility or other bill listing the person’s name and address or driver’s license with Mescalero zip code) (including Tribal affiliates, defined as legally-married spouses and biological children of enrolled Tribal Members).

Each eligible person who is fully vaccinated (2 shots for Moderna & Pfizer and 1 shot for Jansen) is eligible for $100. Each eligible person who received a booster (third shot for Moderna & Pfizer and 2nd shot for Jansen) is eligible to receive $200.

The deadline to have received all vaccinations or a booster shot is December 31, 2021. Vaccination cards and other proof of eligibility must be submitted to the front desk at Tribal Offices by February 28, 2022. Individuals that already received an incentive for this program are not eligible to apply again.

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TRIBAL NEWS AND UPDATES