From Staff Reports

Las Cruces Sun-News

SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials announced Thursday that TriCore Reference Laboratories is now performing a molecular diagnostic test of respiratory specimens for COVID-19 virus.

The Department of Health’s Scientific Laboratory Division and TriCore have worked tirelessly together over the past few weeks to get their testing started, according to a news release from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office. The test is provided under the FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

“We are excited for Tricore to begin COVID-19 testing. We have been working together for weeks,” said Michael W. Edwards, director for the Department of Health’s Scientific Laboratory Division. “The capacity to test in New Mexico is significantly increased to meet future demand with TriCore testing.”

“As New Mexico’s premier clinical laboratory, TriCore is addressing this public health emergency,” Douglas Clark, TriCore’s Chief Medical Officer, said in a written 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.”

Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel issued a statewide public health order on Thursday morning suspending all gatherings of more than 100 individuals. And the governor and state health officials on Wednesday issued enhanced public health advisory steps that New Mexicans should take to protect themselves, their families and New Mexico communities from the potential occurrence or spread of the disease in the state.

More:Health secretary issues public health order suspending mass gatherings in New Mexico

The governor and Department of Health urged 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, or “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

​​Cleaning “high-touch” surfaces daily with regular household cleaners

​​Avoid sharing personal household items

The state Department of Health has updated its dedicated COVID-19 website at cv.nmhealth.org.

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