ALBUQUERQUE – Officials with major health care providers in Albuquerque said Wednesday they’re having to temporarily stop COVID-19 testing for people who are asymptomatic.
An unanticipated disruption in testing supplies has forced University of New Mexico Hospital, Presbyterian and Lovelace health system locations to limit testing to only people who show symptoms. Presbyterian also will continue testing for those who have been exposed to someone with a confirmed infection.
Statewide, New Mexico has been ramping up testing over recent weeks, building up the capacity to test several thousand people a day. Health officials on Tuesday reported that tests have topped 481,000 since the pandemic began.
The health care systems in Albuquerque are telling people without symptoms or known exposure and workers looking for clearance by their employers to check the New Mexico Department of Health website for alternative testing locations.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
New Mexico has reported more than 17, 500 cases and nearly 590 deaths.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Officials with the health care providers said symptoms meeting the criteria for testing include fever or chills; cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; a loss of taste or smell; congestion; fatigue; headache; nausea and diarrhea.
