Outline Options for COVID-19 Testing
ALBUQUERQUE -- The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and its testing partners want to collaboratively assure the public that COVID-19 testing remains widely available to those who need it in the state of New Mexico, and that people who need to get tested are still able to do so. Individuals who are unsure about whether they should be tested are encouraged to call the New Mexico Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline at 1-855-600-3453.
To date, more than 600,000 COVID-19 tests have been performed statewide thanks to consistent cooperation and proactive planning work between the Department of Health and private-sector partners. As a result, New Mexico has consistently ranked as one of the top five states nationally for per-capita testing.
“Testing is a critical tool in our fight against COVID-19," said Kathy Kunkel, Secretary of Health. “Identifying positive cases quickly ensures that individuals who may have been exposed to the virus are notified, tested and directed to quarantine, preventing further spread.”
As New Mexico’s case counts have risen, we have kept our commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents, ensuring broad access to testing in New Mexico. That commitment remains, and the Department of Health and New Mexico hospital systems strongly encourage the following groups to get tested for COVID-19:
- Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of 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.
- People without symptoms who are close contacts or household members of people in their infectious period who have already tested positive for the coronavirus; and
- Patients who are scheduled for surgery and whose provider has advised them to get tested before the procedure.
- Broad based return-to-work testing for individuals without known exposure to COVID-19 or other risk factors is not a priority for testing. However, the hospital systems and NMDOH will work with individuals seeking work-related testing to ensure that their needs are met. In addition, the state has a comprehensive plan to ensure that vulnerable populations, such as those working and living in congregate settings and other high-risk groups, have enhanced access to testing.
In order to ensure the best possible care, the hospital systems urge individuals with symptoms and patients scheduled for surgery whose provider has advised them to get tested before the procedure to obtain a test through a private health care provider. Options in Albuquerque include:
- Lovelace Health System is testing at their downtown location Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00AM-10:00AM.
- UNM Hospital is testing at their Respiratory Care Center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:00AM-11:00AM.
In Albuquerque, NMDOH is offering COVID-19 testing at Expo NM Monday-through-Saturday mornings. Individuals who would like to be tested at this location are asked to pre-register at https://cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/Default.aspx.
Outside of Albuquerque, there are other private testing providers and NMDOH Public Health Offices are open statewide for COVID-19 testing, with some testing events held on weekends. Making an appointment is recommended but not required, and testing is open to anyone concerned about their health. All testing locations can be found on the NMDOH website at https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/directory.html.
The Department of Health and New Mexico hospital systems urge all New Mexicans to continue to assist the state in the fight against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and maintaining good hygiene.
Coronavirus Preparedness
On March 27, Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham and PED Secretary Ryan Stewart announced that New Mexico public schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. While we are not physically in school, instruction, food distribution and more are continuing. Please visit Our Coronavirus Updates Page to stay up-to-date on the latest information.
Recent Releases:
Superintendent Garcia's Letter to Parents on Remote Learning



Coronavirus Hotlines and Resources
The Office of the Governor and the New Mexico Public Education Department has established the below hotlines for your use related to COVID-19:
- Health-related issues COVID-19 hotline: 1-855-600-3453
- Childcare, food insecurity, supplies, loss of income: 1-833-551-0518
- CHRISTUS St. Vincent Info Page (Spanish) : Click here
- Santa Fe Public Schools would like to remind students and families that free behavioral health services via video conferencing and telephone calls are available to all SFPS families through our partnership with The Sky Center. Any family seeking support is encouraged to schedule an appointment. All services are free to members of our community with a child in the household between the ages of 0-23. If you are concerned about depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, suicidal behavior, or other behavioral health issues, please call The Sky Center at 505-473-6191.
- Earth Care New Mexico - Click here to view their Mutual Aid Resources
The Office of the Governor and the New Mexico Public Education Department has established the below hotlines for your use related to COVID-19:
Health-related issues COVID-19 hotline: 1-855-600-3453
Childcare, food insecurity, supplies, loss of income: 1-833-551-0518
The Office of the Governor and the New Mexico Public Education Department has established the below hotlines for your use related to COVID-19:
Health-related issues COVID-19 hotline: 1-855-600-3453
Childcare, food insecurity, supplies, loss of income: 1-833-551-0518
IMPORTANT:
Please see the below letter from Superintendent Dr. Veronica C. Garcia
on steps the district is taking during the Coronavirus outbreak:







IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SFPS DEVICES
Click on the image below to enlarge the letter.

A Letter From Superintendent Dr. Veronica C. Garcia
Esteemed Faculty and Staff,
The Governor of New Mexico has declared a statewide health emergency. She has encouraged that fans and family members watch the NMAA tournament games on TV from home; the whole family should not go. She has also asked that individuals voluntarily choose to not attend large events.
The NMAA says it will keep the public updated on any changes to the State Basketball Tournament. If you would like to watch the tournament from home, all contests will be streamed live via the NFHS Network (www.nfhsnetwork.com) for a subscription fee of $10.99. You can listen to the games live, for free, via KSWV radio. Go Demons! Go Jaguars!
In a preponderance of caution, I want to reiterate that all out-of-state and country travel that is sponsored by SFPS is prohibited. Beginning tomorrow, all field trips are cancelled until further notice.
The District leadership and I have developed a Pandemic Prevention, Preparation, Response and Recovery Procedural Manual. Tomorrow, I will be providing all staff with more guidance. But I assure you that the District is well prepared for other developments that may arise as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
We continue to keep a close watch on the evolving situation with regard to the coronavirus. We are following the lead of the New Mexico Department of Health and the Public Education Department; the DOH website, at https://cv.nmhealth.org, is still the best place to go for up-to-date information and medical facts about the coronavirus in our state.
Some basic facts are worth repeating.
- Prevention is our best approach to coronavirus.
- If you feel sick, stay home.
- Continue to practice good prevention techniques: Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer. Avoid shaking hands. Don’t touch your face. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
We are encouraging all Santa Fe residents to enroll in Alert Santa Fe, an emergency notification system that will allow the city to provide important information quickly, efficiently and accurately. You can find Alert Santa Fe at https://www.santafenm.gov/alertsantafe
Health care professionals and officials advise us that this is an ever-changing situation, that more changes will occur and that more measures will be needed in the days, weeks and months ahead.
We will continue to look to DOH for additional guidance, provide regular updates as we get them and announce additional measures as the situation warrants.
Please check the DOH website for information at https://cv.nmhealth.org/
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and for all you do for the students and families of the Santa Fe Public Schools. I appreciate you so very much. Be well.
Best regards,
Veronica C. Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Santa Fe Public Schools