Health Department Suspends Mass Gatherings

UPDATED: State announces expanded testing; decision targets large events in the wake of COVID-19 cases in New Mexico

New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel issued an order Thursday temporarily prohibiting mass gatherings in New Mexico in response to COVID-19.

The public health order defines mass gatherings as events with 100 or more people in a single room or connected space like auditoriums, stadiums, arenas, conference centers and theaters. It does not apply to airports, other mass transit, shopping malls, shelters, retail and grocery stores, offices and businesses, courthouses, all educational institutions, child-care centers, health care facilities and other congregate care facilities and places of worship.

Weddings and funerals also are exempt.

Read SFR's list of local event changes here.

State health officials also are urging New Mexicans to:

  • Avoid all non-essential travel to affected out-of-state areas; and exercise extreme caution with all out-of-state travel
  • Remain home (“self-isolate”) if you are sick and call the Department of Health at 1-855-600-3453 if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Those symptoms include fever, cough or trouble breathing. Continue taking precautionary steps to protect your individual health, such as:
  • Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Clean “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners
  • Avoid sharing personal household items

State health officials have identified five cases of COVID-19 as "presumptive positive," pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first four cases were ll are in individuals who recently travelled. One case is in Santa Fe County, two in Socorro and one in Bernalillo.

New Mexico health officials on Thursday announced a fifth New Mexico resident tested presumptive positive for the virus. The most recent case is a Bernalillo County woman in her 40s. The Department of Health is investigating a possible travel link. She is at home in isolation.
New Mexico health officials also announced today that TriCore Reference Laboratories is now providing a molecular diagnostic test of respiratory specimens for COVID-19 virus.
“As New Mexico’s premier clinical laboratory, TriCore is addressing this public health emergency,” Douglas Clark, MD, TriCore’s Chief Medical Officer, said in a statement. “TriCore is mobilized to address the needs of communities throughout the state. We are collaborating with healthcare providers to provide rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.”
According to a statement on TriCore’s website, COVID-19 testing “must be ordered by a physician or other authorized healthcare provider. Patients who are concerned that they or a family member are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately to determine their next steps.”
TriCore says health care providers should contact the New Mexico Department of Health  Scientific Laboratory Division at 505.827.0006 to learn if patient meets criteria for a person under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19.
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