Pandemic and Coronavirus

COVID-19 Community Level for Los Alamos County

Tools to mitigate infection include wearing a mask indoors in public and on public transportation. Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider taking additional precautions.

COVID-19 Wastewater Monitoring: SARS-CoV-2 virus concentration present in samples of wastewater taken from across the United States (including Los Alamos) are updated weekly by Biobot Analytics.

New Mexico Dept. of Health: April 7, 2022 COVID-19 toolkit. Information on how to stay safe and healthy from COVID-19.

New Mexico Dept. of Health COVID-19 Epidemiology Reports: Bi-weekly Reports on statewide data regarding Cases, Hospitalizations, Mortality, Variant Concerns, Pediatric Cases, Community Transmission by County and Vaccinations.

COVID-19 Community Profile Report: Generated Data Strategy and Execution Workgroup in the Joint Coordination Cell, under the White House COVID-19 Team. It's managed by representatives from US Dept. of Health & Human Svcs, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Assist. Secretary for Preparedness & Response, and the Indian Health Service. The CPR provides information on key indicators for all regions, states, core-based statistical areas (CBSAs), and counties across the US.

New York Times: Latest Coronavirus map and case count

Los Alamos County Health Council Dashboard: Current data on COVID-19 Cases, ICU visits, Deaths, and Vaccinations.

2022-09-09_COVID Strategy for the Recovery Phase of the Pandemic (to accompany the 5/20/2020 Pandemic Appendix 7).

Updated Pandemic Appendix 7 to Emergency Operations Plan adopted 5/5/2020

Last update to this page: 02/28/2023

COVID-19 Newsletter

IMPORTANT NUMBERS, WEBSITES & CONTACTS

1. NM Dept. of Health Coronavirus emergency hotline: 1-855-600-3453

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

3. Center for Disease Control (COVID-19) website. For the latest on the COVID-19 News from the CDC visit the CDC What's New Web Page.

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. Los Alamos County Customer Care Center: 505-662-8333

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

LOS ALAMOS CO: EMERGENCY MANAGER UPDATES & NEWS RELEASES

2022-01-11: LA Co. Emergency Manager COVID-19 Report to Council

2022-01-03: LA Co. Emergency Manager COVID-19 Report to Council

2021-12-14: LA Co. Emergency Manager COVID-19 Report to Council

ALL TOGETHER NEW MEXICO - COVID-SAFE PRACTICES FOR INDIVIDUALS & EMPLOYERS

June 30, 2021: New Mexico Economic Recovery Council and COVID-Safe Practices Subcommittees issue revised booklet: ALL TOGETHER NEW MEXICO, COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers (Jun. 2021)

It includes:

COVID Safe-Practices for all Employers (on page 10) that also identifies additional resources such as, OSHA and CDC guidelines and EPA list of Disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2.
How each business (restaurants, gyms, retail, grocery stores, farmers markets, youth sports and programs, intercollegiate sports, hotels, resorts & lodging, golf courses, houses of worship, etc....) can comply with the phased reopening of the New Mexico economy.

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS: WHAT IS IT? HOW DO I KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE?

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
Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.
Recovery for average healthy adult is 7-14 days

Protect Yourself and Others

Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines have been approved for use and are found to be highly effective in protecting individuals. See "Vaccines for COVID-19" further down on the page for information on how to register and schedule an appointment.
For those that are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, the CDC recommends wearing a mask in indoor public places.
Individuals who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are fully vaccinated. It is recommended these individuals continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing and talk to their healthcare providers.
To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possible spread to others, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public for vaccinated and nonvaccinated individual if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

Do you need a facemask?

The Customer Care Center also has a limited number of masks. If you need one contact them at at 505.662.8333 or [email protected]

Hygiene Counts!

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

Wear a facemask that covers your nose and mouth when indoors. 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 YOU ARE SICK

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

Get tested

Testing is easy, free and results are turned around fairly quickly. For testing options in Los Alamos visit the COVID Testing page.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website: What to Do if You Are Sick?

New Mexico Department of Health

Call NM Dept. of Health (NMDOH) Coronavirus emergency hotline at 855-600-3453.

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

Quarantine or Isolation instructions if you were notified that you are positive for COVID-19.

Physician

Call your doctor.

ASSISTANCE (MEALS, CHILDCARE, LOSS OF INCOME, UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS & UTILITIES)

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

Resources to find CHILD CARE near you (search by county/zip, within a radius from your home, by school district) - view the brochure with active links prepared by New Mexico Regional Education Cooperatives Association working with NM Public Education Department and the NM Early Childhood Education & Care Department.
Child Care Resources and Referral Support Line: 1-800-691-9067.
For assistance to pay for Child Care and other programs such as Home Visiting, Pre-Kindergarten, Summer Food, Boys & Girls Club, Head Start, and Family Infant Toddler (FIT), visit: Am I Eligible? A website for Family Services Programs in New Mexico.
For other help with child care or loss of income call the 1-833-551-0518

Benefits for Unemployment

Workers affected by COVID-19, there is assistance available to those who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits. Information and FAQs on how to apply for the different types of benefits available and additional resources can be found on the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions website. Find tutorial and more on the NMDWS YouTube channel.

Utility Bill Assistance

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities administers a Utility Assistance Program and is working with the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration to assist renters with utility bills under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Contact the Customer Care Center to see if you qualify for either of these programs: 505.662.8333 or [email protected]
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.

Housing Assistance

Individuals concerned that they may lose their housing as Public Health Orders are lifted the following information was compiled by the Federal Interagency Recovery Committee to serve as a starting point for addressing these home leasing concerns.

This is general purpose information compiled from publicly available sources. For specific information related to the programs and benefits described, please consult directly with the provider of the resource through the contacts listed on the websites below:

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has published a webpage on COVID-19 related resources for homeowners and renters in collaboration with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The collaborative webpage provides information regarding mortgage relief options, protection for renters, and avoiding scams. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/#renters

Coronavirus Resources from HUD Program Offices: https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus/resources_from_program_offices

HUD COVID-19 Resources and Fact Sheets provides information on various HUD rental assistance programs and other housing related resources.

ASSISTANCE FOR NEW MEXICO BUSINESSES

Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce

Visit the Chamber website for information on Business Support, Status Childcare, and Summer Programs

New Mexico Finance Authority

Visit the New Mexico Finance authority for information on Small Business Recovery and Stimulus Programs. The online application is available at www.nmfinance.com.

Small Business Administration

The Small Business Administration has several COVID-19 relief options.

New Mexico Economic Development Department

Visit the New Mexico Economic Development Department or call them on the hotline: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY/TDD: 1-800-877-8339).

HOW CAN I HELP?

Here's what you can do to help during this pandemic:

New Mexico Medical Reserve Corps seeks volunteers in the medical field who would be interested in supporting vaccination efforts, or any other medical event, please register here.

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 [email protected]. Identify the city/town you reside and your phone number. The New Mexico agency will respond with more information.

Volunteers are encouraged to log their hours. Whether you make face masks for the community and county employees or help in some other way, please log your hours here.
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. To make a donation, visit our Paymentus bill payment portal, where you can now click on a Utilities Assistance Program button. You do not have to be a current LAC DPU customer to donate. Thank you for helping our community.

MANY of you are sewing masks to donate to others, delivering food to neighbors ... THANK YOU. Help us keep track of those hours. Click on the link below.

LOG YOUR VOLUNTEER HOURS HERE

Contact Information:

Emergency Management	[email protected]
Beverley Simpson	505-662-8283

Contact Info

505-662-8283

[email protected]

2500 Trinity, Los Alamos, NM