At-home COVID tests: Here are the latest New Mexico and U.S. plans

LAS CRUCES - Amid rising COVID-19 case counts, increased pressure on hospitals and a shortage of tests nationwide, state and federal officials are working on plans to distribute at-home testing kits.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in news release Monday that she's directed the New Mexico Department of Health "to procure 1 million rapid tests every two weeks to ensure that every New Mexican has access to this critical tool in our fight against COVID-19.” 

The iHealth at-home rapid antigen tests will initially be distributed in areas of higher social vulnerability, the state reported.

The state noted these home test kits will be distributed to emergency managers across 26 counties to the 79 ZIP codes — about one-fourth of all ZIP codes in the state — with the highest social vulnerability index. The SVI takes account of socioeconomic status, household composition, minority status, or housing type and transportation to determine populations at risk during public health emergencies. 

In its news release, the state did not detail specific ZIP codes, nor did it detail how many test kits will be distributed to each household or the method of distribution.

Order COVID-19 at-home tests through COVIDtest.gov website

At the federal level, President Joe Biden has announced the government will order 1 billion at-home COVID-19 tests.

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Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19, the first 500 million tests will be available for order at COVIDTests.gov and mailed to homes within 7 to 12 days through the U.S. Postal Service, according to an official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, USA Today reported last week.

The website started accepting orders a day early, on Tuesday, Jan. 18. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the site is in its beta phase to allow troubleshooting.

Also, under a plan that started Saturday, Jan. 15, Americans with health insurance can get up to eight at-home coronavirus tests for free. Private health plans are required to cover the over-the-counter tests at up to $12 per test. Consumers can either purchase the testing kits at no cost or submit receipts for reimbursement from the insurance company.

"This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement last week. "By requiring private health plans to cover people's at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans' ability to get tests for free when they need them."

Record number of COVID cases in New Mexico

New Mexico recorded nearly 30,000 new COVID-19 cases the week of Jan. 8-14, a high for a seven-day period since the pandemic began. State officials predict the omicron variant is responsible for the majority of cases.

Patients infected with the omicron variant generally present milder symptoms, though the strain is more contagious than previous COVID-19 variants and can break through immune systems vaccinated months earlier. The state's daily COVID-19 reports show hospitalizations throughout the state are rising, but are not at peak levels.  

The number of positive COVID-19 cases is likely higher than reported because residents who take at-home tests may not inform the state, while others may forego a test altogether as symptoms may recede before a test can be scheduled. 

The quicker one can get test results, the better decisions one can make to prevent the spread of coronavirus, health officials say.

More:NMSU researchers explore food insecurity challenges and impact amid COVID-19

“Part of learning to live with COVID as we go forward is putting the tools to fight the virus into our home, and home testing is one of the tools that in the long run will enable us to manage this pandemic,” acting state Health Secretary Dr. David Scrase said in a news release.

Among those tools, the state reported, are vaccinations including booster shots against COVID-19. Other layers to slow community spread include wearing face coverings in public indoor settings, as mandated under a public health order in effect into February; maintaining six feet of distance from non-household members when possible; and frequently washing or sanitizing one's hands. 

Also in that release, the state advises: "If you are unable to get a test and have symptoms of COVID, please assume that you have COVID, and follow COVID positive guidelines."

For information on at-home or self testing, visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/selftest/.

Lucas Peerman can be reached at lpeerman@lcsun-news.com or @LittleGuyInATie on Twitter.