Coronavirus Update – April 2, 2020

Coronavirus updates for Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Our guest today is Maryann Marlar, former owner of Vicki’s Eatery and now coordinating efforts to make face masks and gowns for Gila Regional Medical Center to help shore up supplies of personal protective equipment

Coronavirus Update is a local radio show that provides the latest information you need to know on local community strategies to slow the spread of the Coronavirus and protect yourself, your family and our community during this public health crisis. Brought to you by Gila-Mimbres Community Radio, Gila Resources Information Project, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Grant County and National Center for Frontier Communities.

Send us your updates to coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com

NM Dept of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org

Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov

Message from Grant County’s health care providers – video

Donations to Community COVID-19 Response – Grant County Community Foundation

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CVU is broadcast live weekdays at Noon and
rebroadcast following Democracy Now! at 6pm and 8am

Or listen to this episode at your convenience via this link…
CVU / Coronavirus Update – April 2, 2020

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There are 363 positive cases of COVID-19 in New Mexico, with 6 deaths in the state according to the NM Dept. of Health. Grant County currently has 1 positive case of coronavirus. 31 individuals have been hospitalized in New Mexico for the virus and 26 have been designated as recovered (press release). The Department of Health reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive. To that end, all New Mexicans have been instructed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. More information at cv.nmhealth.org

Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Kathy Kunkel announced revised COVID-19 testing criteria yesterday (press release).  Thanks to increased statewide testing capacity, the following people may now be considered for COVID-19 testing:

• Asymptomatic people who are close contacts or household members of New Mexico residents who have already tested positive for the coronavirus;
• Asymptomatic residents in nursing homes;
• Asymptomatic people in congregant settings such as homeless shelters, group homes, detention centers;
• Symptomatic people displaying the COVID-19 symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath.

Previous testing criteria consisted of those symptomatic or a recent out of state or country travel history. Secretary Kunkel said that “Studies are suggesting that asymptomatic people may be driving the spread of COVID-19, making it more difficult for containment,” “If we can keep more asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients at home and not out in public, the more effective we will be at flattening the curve.” More information at cv.nmhealth.org

TESTING SITES FOR COVID-19

There are now additional options for COVID-19 testing in our area.

The NM Department of Health has started COVID-19 testing on Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Grant County Public health Office in Silver City. call 575.538.5318 ext. 4 for more information. Testing has also started at the NM DOH offices in Lordsburg and Deming. ( cvprovider.nmhealth.org/directory.html)

NMDOH SW Region – Silver City Public Health Office – Grant County
2610 N. Silver, Silver City, New Mexico 88061
Tuesday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
575-538-5318 ext. 4

NMDOH SW Region – Lordsburg Public Health Office – Hidalgo County
530 De Moss Street, Lordsburg, New Mexico 88045
Thursday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
575-542-9391

NMDOH SW Region – Deming Public Health Office – Luna County
215 S. Silver, Deming, New Mexico 88030
Tuesday 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
575-546-2771

Silver Health Care continues to conduct drive thru screening and testing at their Silver City and Bayard Clinics. Please call Silver Health Care before you arrive at 575-538-2981

• Silver Health Care Bayard Clinic – 4 – 5pm Monday through Friday – 608 Winifred St, Bayard, NM 88023
• Silver Health Care Main Clinic – 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday – 1600 East 32nd Street, Silver City, New Mexico 88061

For more information on health issues related to COVID-19, Call the NM Dept of Health COVID-19 Hotline 1-855-600-3453 or visit cv.nmhealth.org

For non-health COVID-19 information, call the Coronavirus Information Hotline at 1-833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR WORKERS AFFECTED BY COVID-19

If you are a worker affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits. You may be eligible if the situations described below apply to you:

• Employers may lay off some or all of their workforce as a result of the impact of COVID-19; for example, a restaurant that sees a significant reduction in business due to lack of customers dining out during this time, or an event facility that cancels all events until a later date, or bus drivers who are out of work due to temporary school closures.
• Workers who are self-quarantined or directed to be quarantined, or who have immediate family who is quarantined.
• Workers who have their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19.

ONLINE: You can file your new (initial) UI claim online at www.jobs.state.nm.us.
OR Call 1-877-664-6984 TOLL-FREE to apply for unemployment benefits by phone Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm.

More information at www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info

SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES – “Buy for Tomorrow Today” Website

The New Mexico Economic Development Department has launched a website that pairs shoppers with products and services in a “Buy for Tomorrow Today” campaign to help sustain businesses through the COVID-19 health emergency (press release)

This is another way for people to support New Mexico businesses during the emergency closures. The site offers direct access to individual websites where purchases can be finalized for products or services now, by delivery or take-out, or when the business reopens. Visit: www.BuyNMLocal.com to make a purchase or sign up your business.

Please visit our website at GMCR.org for all of today’s updates and additional resources.  And remember to send us your updates and questions — email us at coronavirusupdategrantcounty@gmail.com or post on facebook @GilaMimbresCommunityRadio.

RESOURCES FROM MARYANN MARLAR INTERVIEW

To volunteer to make masks or gowns for Gila Regional Medical Center, contact MaryAnn Marlar at maryann_marlar@yahoo.com   MaryAnn will be at the Old Elks Lodge on Saturday April 4 from 11 am – 1pm if you’d like to pick up a pattern to make masks or gowns. Contact MaryAnn at the email above for more information.

Grant County COVID Supplies Support Facebook Public Group -Let’s make reusable woven fabric masks to help organizations and individuals who have requested them. Join the group to volunteer to make masks. Links to patterns and more information on the Facebook page.

Washington Post – Simple DIY masks could help flatten the curve. 

Washington Post – White House to urge Americans to wear face coverings in public to slow spread of coronavirus