When to test for COVID-19?
- If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
- If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.
- Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.
For
more information on testing and
what to do if you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 visit the CDC webpages.
At-home Rapid COVID-19 Testing in Los Alamos County:
Free COVID-19 at-home antigen tests available
All U.S. households can order a total of four at-home COVID-19 tests that will be mailed directly to them for free. Tests can be ordered from www.COVID.gov/tests.
Additionally, New Mexico residents can still receive mail order free at-home tests through the Rockefeller Foundation’s Project Act program while supplies last at: https://accesscovidtests.org/.
The Department of Health recommends residents to take advantage of this program while the free at-home antigen tests are available.
Tests are also available to be purchased at local pharmacies.
Residents with private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid can also request reimbursement for purchases of up to eight tests per month.
Residents are encouraged to use an at-home COVID-19 test if they are experiencing symptoms. Testing is one of our best defenses against spreading COVID-19 and at-home testing provides a safe, convenient way to protect others from the virus.
At-home antigen tests take 15 minutes to complete, offering users a convenient way to check whether they are infected with COVID-19. If you have symptoms, serial testing with an at-home test separated by 48 hours is 90% accurate.
Users can follow up with a PCR test from a medical provider or test site at: findatestnm.org to verify results. It is still important to stay home if you have symptoms to prevent the spread of COVID and other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and flu.
Residents can self-report a positive COVID test at Make My Test Count. The reporting of tests on this site is confidential and no personal information is required to use the site.
For more information on how to stay safe and healthy from COVID-19, visit cv.nmhealth.org.
Other COVID-19 Testing locations throughout New Mexico:
NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:
PCR tests are available from a medical provider or test site. Visit findatestnm.org to find a testing location in your area.
It is still important to stay home if you have symptoms to prevent the spread of COVID and other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and flu.