Holy Cross Medical Center has announced a presumptive positive test result for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This is the first presumptive positive result for Taos County. The affected person is an adult male in his fifties. The patient appears to have two residencies, one in an eastern state and one in Taos. They have recently traveled to the east coast, including being in the Boston area. According to non-Holy Cross sources, the patient is at their Taos residence and has self-quarantined.
Any Taos County resident who has developed fever, respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) or even mild flu-like symptoms need to limit community exposure. Stay home, limit contact with other people, and immediately contact your healthcare provider to discuss symptoms and any risk factors for COVID-19. Any individual who is symptomatic but does not have a healthcare provider should contact the New Mexico Department of Health at 855-600-3453.
Given the increasing spread of COVID-19 worldwide and in the United States, all people should take the following precautions to protect themselves and help prevent further community spread:
- Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick
- Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
- Avoid being in groups of more than 10 people
For more information on COVID-19 in NM, please visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/. For the latest information from the CDC, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.