New Mexico DOH Encouraging COVID-19 Testing
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is encouraging all individuals to get tested if they fall into various categories.
Get tested for COVID-19 if:
- You have COVID-19 symptoms including 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 don’t have symptoms but were in close contact or are a household member of someone who has tested positive and are in their infectious period. This is recommended regardless of vaccination
Cease And Desist Letter Sent To SNL Director Calling For Halt To Mandatory Masks, COVID Testing, Vaccine Mandate
SNL News:New Mexico COVID-19 Update: 478 New Cases, Totaling 211,970 With 1 New Death And 197,142 Recovered
STATE News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico state health officials Tuesday announced 478 additional COVID-19 cases.
Los Alamos County reports zero new cases so the total remains at 555 people who have tested positive for COVID-19. (County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.)
This update includes 1 new death in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 132 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Catron County
- 17 new cases in Chaves County
- 2 new cases in Cibola
Masks Required Indoors At Senior Centers Starting Aug. 4
Both the Los Alamos and White Rock branches of the senior centers will once again require masks indoors beginning Wednesday, Aug. 4. The in-person lunch service that resumed Monday will continue but after lunch members asked either to not linger or to replace their masks. The community is asked to be patient as staff negotiates the new normal. Courtesy/LARSO Read More
Chart 482 COVID-19 Update: New Mexico Aug. 3
The bars in this chart show the number of COVID-19 diagnoses in the United States versus date, and the line shows the seven-day average. Source: New York Times. Created by Eli Ben-NaimLos Alamos County Implements Mandatory Mask-Wearing Regardless Of Vaccination Status
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has implemented mandatory mask-wearing for employees and the public – vaccinated or unvaccinated – entering County facilities beginning today, Aug. 3.
The decision was made Monday afternoon out of an abundance of caution, based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance that all individuals – regardless of vaccination status – wear a mask when indoors.
Signs are being posted today at all County facilities regarding the need for a mask in order to enter.
Other services such as Atomic City Transit and both Senior Centers may have more stringent rules for use Read More
As Pandemic Continues, Remainder Of Provider Relief Fund Must Be Released To Long Term Care Facilities
AHCA/NCAL News:
Long term care facilities have received approximately $14 billion of the $178 billion through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF).
This funding has been a lifeline for nursing homes and assisted living communities, but there are still funds in the PRF that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not distributed. With the Delta variant spreading rapidly throughout the country, long term care providers need the resources now more than ever so they can continue their efforts to protect vulnerable residents.
Pandemic-related resources such as personal protective Read More
Luján, Border State Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Bolster Infectious Disease Monitoring, Border Health Initiatives
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amid rising COVID-19 cases, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led border state lawmakers in introducing the Border Health Security Act to strengthen multi-country cooperation to screen for infectious diseases and support vital public health initiatives in border communities.
While millions of residents who live in border regions are citizens of different countries with independent public health infrastructures, these regions are highly interdependent with shared economic interests.
The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Read More
State Health Dept. Launches Round Two Of $100 COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program ‘Stay Ahead New Mexico’
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) announced Monday the launch of its second $100 COVID-19 vaccine incentive program: “Stay Ahead New Mexico”.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 2, and for the duration of August, all New Mexicans 12+ are eligible for a $100 incentive for getting a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Any dose qualifies – a first or second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or a dose of the single-shot J&J vaccine. No more than one $100 incentive will be distributed per person.
The announcement follows Thursday’s White House press conference, at which President Biden Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Update July 31-Aug. 2: 1,076 New Cases, Totaling 211,492 With 4 Deaths, 197,079 Recovered
SANTA FE — New Mexico state health officials announced 1,076 additional COVID-19 cases Saturday, July 31 through today.
Los Alamos County reports 3 new cases bringing the total to 555 people who have tested positive for COVID-19. (County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.)
This three-day update includes 4 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 340 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 2 new cases in Catron County
- 44 new cases in
C’YA Closing In On Goal To Recognize NAMBE Drugs
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) is $142 from its goal of $1,000 to recognize NAMBE Drugs for administering more than 13,000 vaccinations in Los Alamos. The funds will be used to purchase a stone paver from the American Pharmacy Association Foundation to be placed in the COVID-19 Heroes garden overlooking the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This will be the last week that donations are accepted for the goal. They can be mailed to PO Box 4741 White Rock, NM 87547. Call or text questions to 505.695.9139. Courtesy imageCounty Health Council To Meet On Zoom Thursday Aug. 5
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Health Council (LACHC) will meet at noon Thursday, Aug. 5 on Zoom.
This meeting is open to the public.
Find the agenda here: AUG. 5, 2021 LACHC Agenda.
Find the link to this meeting here.
Web id: 82201977356 Read More
Luján Targets Social Media Health Misinformation In New Senate Bill
By Michael McDevitt
Las Cruces Sun
July 31, 2021
In response to falsehoods and hoaxes, which have flooded the internet during the pandemic, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján is cosponsoring legislation that would remove legal protections for social media companies, which refuse to alter their algorithms to stem or suppress the spread of health misinformation during public health emergencies.
The bill, called the Health Misinformation Act of 2021 and introduced July 22 by Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, is meant to target the proliferation of public health misinformation on platforms like Read More
Officials Celebrate 56th Anniversary Of Medicare & Medicaid
HHS News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure released the following statements Friday celebrating the 56th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid July 30, 2021:
“For decades, Medicare and Medicaid have been a lifeline and a steady foundation for our seniors, children, women, families, people with disabilities, and at every stage in life,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said. “Nearly 140 million Americans have health insurance coverage Read More
Next 4 Winners Of Vax 2 The Max Sweepstakes Announced
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The state of New Mexico confirmed the next four prize winners in the Vax 2 the Max Sweepstakes, a $10 million cash sweepstakes funded by federal stimulus and intended to incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations.
Four vaccinated New Mexicans — one from each public health region of the state — are each confirmed winners of $250,000, as drawn at random by the New Mexico Lottery.
The confirmed winners of the Friday, July 23 drawing are:
- Northeast Region: Trinnie Martinez, Espanola, Rio Arriba County
- Northwest Region: Roslyn Pursley, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County
Chart 481 COVID-19 Update: New Mexico July 30
This scatter plot shows the average number of daily diagnoses per 100,000 people versus the percentage of the population receiving at least one vaccine dose. Shown are all New Mexico counties except Hidalgo (diagnoses @ 75, vaccinations @ 47 percent). The line represents a linear fit to the data. Source: covidactnow.org. Created by Eli Ben-Naim Read More
Ensuring Loved Ones With Alzheimer’s Have Safe Summer
AA News:
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it’s estimated that more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s in 2021.
That means that nearly 6 million Americans are battling the daily effects of Alzheimer’s in these hot summer months.
Lisa Skinner, behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, highlights the unique effects that hot summertime weather can have on a person battling Alzheimer’s:
“Older adults, and particularly individuals who suffer from Azheimer’s disease and dementia are at a much higher risk during hot weather than Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Update July 27: 242 New Cases, Totaling 209,356 With 2 New Deaths And 196,698 Recovered
SANTA FE — New Mexico state health officials announced 242 additional COVID-19 cases today.
Los Alamos County reports zero new cases so the total remains at 548 people who have tested positive for COVID-19. (County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.)
This update includes 2 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 69 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 9 new cases in Chaves County
- 1 new case in Cibola County
- 5 new cases in Colfax County
NMPED: Latest COVID-19 Response Toolkit For Schools
NMPED News:
As students prepare to return to school, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) shares COVID-safe practices in effect and outlined in the updated NMPED Toolkit.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Everyone in elementary schools regardless of vaccination status are required to wear a mask while:
- in a school building;
- on school transportation; and
- or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
Secondary school students, staff and volunteers who are fully vaccinated and provide documentation of full vaccination are not required to wear masks.
Secondary school students, staff Read More
New Mexico COVID-19 Update July 24-26: 632 New Cases, Totaling 209,118 With 3 New Deaths And 196,641 Recovered
SANTA FE — New Mexico state health officials announced 632 additional COVID-19 cases between Saturday and today.
Los Alamos County reports one new case bringing the total to 547 people who have tested positive for COVID-19. (County totals are subject to change upon further investigation and determination of residency of individuals positive for COVID-19.)
This update includes 3 new deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19.
Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
- 232 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 21 new cases in Chaves County
- 2 new cases in Cibola County
- 1
