FARMINGTON, N.M. - The Farmington Fire Department today announces an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is self-quarantining per New Mexico Department of Health guidelines. The public’s safety is the department’s top priority. FFD is working in accordance with the CDC and New Mexico Department of Health regarding when the individual will be able to return to work. In addition, FFD was in consultation with the New Mexico Epidemiology Office to determine if other employees and citizens had been exposed. The department is happy to report, epidemiology found the employee was not at work during the contagious period. Per epidemiology’s investigation, no other employees were exposed, and no members of the public were exposed during this individual’s course of work. FFD will heighten surveillance of employees, keeping a close watch for symptoms.
The Farmington Fire Department would like to remind citizens that it is important to be prepared and not panicked and to continue to take measures to help reduce the spread of this virus: washing hands often for at least 20 seconds, covering your cough/sneeze, frequently sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often, staying home if you are sick and practicing social distancing, which means remaining at least 6 feet from others when in public. Social distancing is a key practice everyone should adhere to in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.
Citizens exhibiting flu-like symptoms should call the New Mexico Coronavirus Hotline at 855-600-3453 to be prescreened by a medical professional. If you have a primary care physician, contact their office prior to going there to find out what their protocol is for their patients who feel they may need to be tested.