Department of Health announces revised testing criteria for COVID-19
Guidelines relaxed to allow more New Mexicans to be tested.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is providing revised testing criteria announced by Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel during Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s news conference Tuesday, March 31, afternoon.
Thanks to increased statewide testing capacity, the following people may now be considered for COVID-19 testing:
- Asymptomatic people who are household members of New Mexico residents who have already tested positive for the coronavirus;
- Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;
- Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes, detention centers;
- Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.
Previous testing criteria consisted of those symptomatic or a recent out of state or country travel history.
“Studies are suggesting that asymptomatic people may be driving the spread of COVID-19, making it more difficult for containment,” said Secretary Kunkel. “If we can keep more asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients at home and not out in public, the more effective we will be at flattening the curve.”
In order to more quickly identify our community members who may be at higher risk if they contract COVID-19, UCGH has increased our testing criteria to match the new DOH criteria released on April 1, 2020. Instead of a one-day limited hours’ drive-through, the hospital will now be able to test on a daily basis, in-house using these new, more relaxed criteria. We believe this will provide better and more efficient testing by increasing the availability of testing within our community. UCGH wants to ensure that patients within our community who meet the State’s criteria have the opportunity to get tested.
If a community member believes that they meet the new testing criteria, they should call the Emergency Department at UCGH at 575-374-2585 prior to coming in and we will give them the next instructions for testing.
New Mexicans with health-related questions can call the coronavirus hotline at 855-600-3453. For non-health-related questions or concerns call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information. You may also call the Union County General Hospital Emergency Room at 575-374-2585 or the Union County Health Center at 575-374-2273 for all health-related questions.
Thank you,
Tammie Stump, CEO