Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
On March 11, 2020, Governor Lujan-Grisham announced 3 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in New Mexico, one in Bernalillo County and 2 in Socorro County. All three people had recently traveled to other areas where COVID-19 is prevalent.
As NMHCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in New Mexico, the Association has decided to close its Albuquerque office beginning Saturday, March 21 until further notice.
For staff email addresses and phone numbers, please visit the about us page here.
NMHCA/NMCAL would like to remind facilities to take the time to update your contact lists for family members. Communication is extremely important during this time.
New Mexico Department of Health Downloads
DOH Limitation on Visitation Guidance - All members
Guidance on Staff traveling and living out of state
Download PPE Guidance and Contact information here.
DOH Order Closing Visitation - English Version
Press Release on Visitor Prohibition - English Version
DOH Order Closing Visitation - Spanish Version
Press Release on Visitor Prohibition - Spanish Version
Stop Spread of Germs Sign, English
Stop Spread of Germs Sign, Spanish
NMDOH Approved Visitor Checklist
NMCAL Family Communication Template for Assisted Living
The NM Division of Health Improvement Guidance.
For Assisted Living
In an effort to ensure the safety and well-being of New Mexico’s assisted living residents and families, the Department of Health has deployed its health care survey team to conduct onsite visits of the 269 licensed assisted living facilities statewide.
State survey staff will focus on providing CDC infection control guidance, written visitor protocols, and address staff, family, and resident questions or concerns.
For Skilled Nursing Facilities
Per CMS guidance, DHI has prioritized infection-control issues as “ IJ” priority assignment in nursing homes. They will deploy survey staff within 2 days of a report of issues surrounding infection outbreak or infection control noncompliance. They are continuing all nursing home survey work as outlined in SOM and will meet all survey workload intervals.
They will continue with typical survey work as outlined in SOM and will meet all survey workload intervals.
Webinar Information
The NMHCA/NMCAL Webinar presented by the NMDOH, Department of Epidemiology on March 10, 2020, can be viewed here. The slides are available for download here.
The AHCA/NCAL webinar presented by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 3 was recorded. You can access the recording here.
The CDC Webinar regarding COVID-19 presented on March 5 was recorded. You can access the recording and slides here.
CMS Guidance
NMHCA/NMCAL Update Calls
CDC Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone practice effective handwashing and to stay at home if you have any symptoms of illness. Click here for CDC resources for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the general public.
The CDC is providing Interim Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to Patients with COVID-19
The CDC is providing information and resources specific to Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in LTC Facilities.
The CDC has provided guidance on implementing home care. Click here to access this guidance.
The CDC is providing information on Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators.
The CDC is providing information on Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or Persons Under Investigations for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings.
The CDC has Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19.
The CDC does not currently recommend the general public to use face masks. Centers should educate families and visitors on signs and symptoms of respiratory illness and encourage them to visit with loved ones through alternative means when they are ill, such as telephone, Skype, or wearing a mask during visits.
The CDC has issued Interim Guidance for Public Health Professionals Managing People with COVID-19 in Home Care and Isolation Who Have Pets or Other Animals.
Facts about COVID-19 provided by the CDC can be found here.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing a list of disinfectants to fight COVID-19.
New Mexico Department of Health Information
- Report possible COVID-19 --call 505- 837-0006. An epidemiologist will work with you to get the specimen collected. That will be sent for testing, and you will be notified as soon as the results come back. There is no cost for the test through the state scientific lab.
- You also need to report any cases to the NM Division of Health Improvement at (800) 752-8649, or by fax at (888) 576-0012, or by email, incident.management@state.nm.us. You may also complete online at http://dhi.health.state.nm.us.
- Download PPE Guidance and Contact information here.
AHCA Information
AHCA Notice on 3 - Day Waiver
AHCA Statement on CMS March 13, 2020, Guidance
Assisted Living Visitor Guidance
COVID-19 Online Resources Page
Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 in Skilled Nursing Centers
Screening Checklist for Visitors to Skilled Nursing Centers
Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 in Assisted Living Communities
COVID-19 Email Updates
- March 10 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 1
- March 10 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 2
- March 11 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 3
- March 14 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 4
- March 14 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 5
- March 17 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 6
- March 18 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 7
- March 20 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 8
- March 24 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 9
- March 27 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 10
- March 30 - NMHCA/NMCAL COVID19 Update 11
Legal Considerations for Senior Care and Living Providers in Light of COVID-19
With news that a nursing facility in Kirkland, Washington has multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19, legal compliance is likely at the top of senior care and living providers’ minds. Having a plan in place to mitigate risk and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations is important during situations like this. Click here for guidance covering legal and regulatory considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Many thanks to the professional team at Lane Powell and the Washington Health Care Association for this information.