1. NM Dept. of Health Coronavirus emergency hotline: 1-855-600-3453 (Call this number before visiting a local health care center) 

• NMDOH Self-screening tool:  Should I Get Tested?
• NMDOH Test Results Portal.  Be prepared to create an account.  You need to provide your NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, and DATE SAMPLE WAS COLLECTED. 

2. NM Dept. of Health hotline for everything else: 1-833-551-0518

3. Center for Disease Control (COVID-19) and the CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker website

4. New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH COVID-19) (Visit the NMDOH COVID-19 website for current info on tests/positive cases of COVID 19 in New Mexico.). 

5. New Mexico Crisis and Access Line

6. LANL COVID-19 hotline: 505-606-2667

7. Customer Care Center: 505-662-8333 (Call for information on county facility closures, assistance with meals and utility bills or how to help the community at this time.)

8. Emergency Management: 505-662-8283 or 505-709-8632

Read News Releases from the LOS ALAMOS COUNTY related to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Updates may be posted daily or less frequently, as conditions warrant. (For NEW MEXICO STATE COVID-19 updates, refer to: New Mexico Department of Health News Room; New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham News Room; For FEDERAL COVID-19 updates visit the Centers for Disease and Prevention News Room)

Updates April 1, 2020:

DPU Suspends Utility Service Shut-Offs - DPU Update 5

Social Services Manager:  Keep up the good work with social distancing

Updates March 30, 2020:

Overlook Park Closing Thursday for DOH COVID-19 testing

County Update 11 on COVID-19, Food Supply Secure; Residents Asked Not to Hoard Food, Supplies

Reduced Hours Starting April 1: Eco Station and Overlook Convenience Center - EV Update 1

Updates March 27, 2020:

County Update 10 on COVID-19, Council Meeting Changes Because of COVID-19

Department of Health announces COVID-19 screening in Los Alamos County 

Updates March 24, 2020:

Coronavirus Precautions Could Lead To Increased Domestic Violence - PD Update 1

Public Attendance Prohibited at BPU Meeting - DPU Update 4

Updates March 19, 2020:

County Update 9 on COVID-19, Public Works "Still at Work"

VIEW ALL COVID-19 UPDATES AND RELEASES

Learn more about Pandemic Flu and Coronavirus

The best source for current information on Coronavirus or any type of seasonal flu is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Link below: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

Pandemic flu is a global outbreak of flu, no matter what kind. Learn more about pandemic flu here: www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) facts:

The 2019 novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The novel coronavirus is a new virus and part of a large group of viruses that infect people and while normally causing a mild respiratory disease - such as the common cold - it can potentially be deadly. Signs and symptoms of this coronavirus illness include fever, cold spells, cough, difficulty breathing, chills and muscle pains. Because this time of year is also cold and flu season, testing to identify coronavirus is needed. It shares similar symptoms to cold and flu.

About Coronavirus COVID-19:

• Person-to-person spreads mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread
• Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure
• No vaccine or treatment 
• Recovery for average healthy adult is 7-14 days
• Greatest risk is to elderly, especially those who have complicated medical problems or immune deficiencies

Stay at Home

As of March 23, 2020 the New Mexico Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathyleen M. Kunkel issued a Public Health Emergency Order closing all businesses and non-profit entities except for those deemed essential and providing additional restrictions on mass gatherings due to COVID-19.

Hygiene Counts!

One of the best defenses against flu epidemics of any kind is basic hygiene.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze. Throw it away afterwards. Flu is spread through 'respiratory droplets.
• Wash your hands often, or at least use hand sanitizing gels often.
• Teach your children this respiratory etiquette and insist on it for yourself and others.
• STAY HOME from work when you are ill.
• Keep your children home and their friends away when they are ill, period.
• Enact a 6 ft. rule when in public places

If you think that you might have been exposed to COVID-19 and you develop a fever and symptoms such as a cough or difficulty breathing -

Before you visit a local health care center do one of the following: 

1. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Self-Checker website (a guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.)

2. Call NM Dept. of Health Coronavirus emergency hotline at 855-600-3453; Online self-screening tool: Should I be tested?  And if you were tested get your results on the online COVID-19 test results portal.

• NMDOH hotline for everything else: 1-833-551-0518:

3. Call your doctor

Sites for COVID-19 Screening &Testing (Swab/Specimen Collection)

Meal Assistance Information

• The following is a list of meal sites for children: 
  https://www.newmexico.gov/education/meal-sites-for-children/
  
  
• For Seniors and Disabled Adults call the NM Dept of Aging and Long-Term Services Food Access Hotline: 1-800-432-2080 (leave a message with your name, telephone number and city where you live.)  

Child Care or Loss of Income

• For help with child care or loss of income call the 1-833-551-0518

Utility Bill Assistance

• The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities Payment Options and Financial Assistance page has information on the Utility Assistance Program (application form: UAP Application & Statement of Declaration)

•  Other Financial Assistance programs to assist with utility bill payments:

  LA Cares
  505.661.8015

  Self-help Inc. (Includes Salvation Army)
  505.662-4666

• Call the Customer Care Center at 505-662-8333 for more information. 

Employers: Be Ready...

Pandemics cause major economic losses due to absenteeism. Up to 30% of the workforce will either miss work due to sickness or stay home due to fear. The economic impact of Coronavirus will be felt around the world. The impact will initially appear in two primary aspects of business: Availability of the workforce, and impact in and on the market place. This is different than business or emergency plans that largely assume destruction of physical infrastructure due to natural or human-caused disaster. How will business and governments keep operating with 30% of their workforce unavailable over the course of months or even several years? 

Employers can learn more about the risk management methods at the CISA website, https://www.cisa.gov/coronavirus

Quarantine Likely

Moreover, quarantine, whether self- or government-imposed, is highly likely as governments and employers seek to limit the spread of the disease. This includes worldwide quarantines on state and national borders. In a global economy, transportation / shipping will suffer mightily in a pandemic. Goods will not move, and shortages will happen.

Employees: A Note about Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals who meet state eligibility requirements. UI benefits are financed through employer payroll taxes; they are not deducted from employee paychecks. Everyone who collects UI benefits is legally responsible for following the rules according to New Mexico state law.

All individuals applying for and receiving UI benefits are required to register with the New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System (www.jobs.state.nm.us) first in order to access the Unemployment Insurance Tax & Claims System.

Assistance Programs

New Mexico Governor’s website for Information for Employers (Assistance)

Small Business Assistance (SBA) Disaster Assistance to New Mexico Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus

New Mexico Economic Development Dept. - Help for Businesses Negatively Impacted by the COVID-19

New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Dept. - extend income and payroll tax deadline to July 15

Individuals and Families: Be Ready!

Information is available on the CDC website advising you how to prepare:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/protect/index.html

If it's not Coronavirus...
Seasonal Flu

For current NM flu information, visit https://nmhealth.org/publication/view/general/5333/ or call toll-free the NM Influenza hotline at 1-800-432-6866. Frequently asked questions and answers are also available on the DOH website. Or visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website www.cdc.gov/flu. 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (pdf document)

On March 23, 2020, New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel announced a new public health emergency order effective at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, directing all New Mexicans to stay home except to maintain continuity of functions critical to public health and safety. This pdf document is a a coronavirus (COVID-19) resource guide for citizens in Los Alamos and White Rock. 

I need assistance

Visit the New Mexico Governor's website: I Need Assistance

What is the County Doing?

The County Office of Emergency Management is working closely with LA Medical Center, LANL, other local entities, and State health officials to prepare for Coronavirus to emerge here in Los Alamos.

On March 18, 2020, County Council Chair Scott declares a Local State of Emergency

Press Releases:
Los Alamos County COVID-19 Updates and News Releases

Messages from Council Chair Sara Scott:
March 23, 2020 Scott: Los Alamos County and Stay at Home Instructions
March 18, 2020 Scott: Emergency Declaration
March 13, 2020 Scott comments on canceling March 17 work session

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What is the State Doing?

New Mexico Department of Health

Visit the New Mexico Department of Health website to stay informed. New Mexico DOH has a dedicated Coronavirus webpage that is being updated in real time.

All NMDOH Public Health Orders
March 23, 2020: Public Health Emergency Order Closing All Businesses and Non-Profit Entities Except for those Deemed Essential and Providing Additional Restrictions on Mass Gatherings Due to COVID-19
(To report a violation of this order: send an email to NMSP.COVID19@state.nm.us)

NMDOH Press Releases 

Office of the New Mexico Governor

New Mexico Governor Press Releases:
March 23: 2020: State enacts further restrictions to stop spread, including stay-at-home instruction
March 11, 2020: New Mexico Governor Declares a State of Emergency

NM Governor's Executive Orders

New Mexico Economic Development

Help for businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19

New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department

The deadline for income and payroll tax has been extended to July 15

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What is the Federal Government Doing?

On March 13, 3030 the President declared the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of Columbia pursuant to section 501 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”). State, Territorial, Tribal, local government entities and certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Press Releases
March 13, 2020: President Donald J. Trump Directs FEMA Support under Emergency Declaration for COVID-19

Small Business Administration (SBA)

Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance

Press Releases;
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to New Mexico Small Businesses Economically Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)

SBA Ofrece Asistencia de Desastres a los Pequeños Negocios de New Mexico Impactados Económicamente por Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Press release March 17, 2020 from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham:  Here's how you can help during COVID-19 

• Donate Blood
  
  
• Volunteer:  Call the State's general information hotline 1-833-551-0518 and Press 8
  
  
• Volunteer to help the elderly.  Assist the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department in providing food and services to New Mexico seniors:  Email ALTSD-Volunteers@state.nm.us. Identify the city/town you reside and your phone number. The New Mexico agency will respond with more information.   
  
  
• Donate to a Homeless Shelter
  
  
• Donate non-perishable food to a Food Bank.

• Monetary donation to the Red Cross 

• For local community assistance, consider a monetary donation to Self Help, Inc or send a check payable to Self Help, Inc. to 2390 North Road, in Los Alamos. All donations are tax deductible.

• Consider a monetary donation to the Utility Assistance Program. This is a program maintained by the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities.  Donations from DPU's customers are used to help other customers who are experiencing trouble paying utility bills. Send an email or call the Customer Care Center for details on how to donate CustomerCare@lacnm.us or 505.662.8333.