New Mexico Department of Health provides tips for keeping those at risk healthy this holiday season

SANTA FE, New Mexico --The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is urging New Mexicans to protect young children, older individuals and those with underlying health conditions from RSV, influenza and Covid-19 this holiday season.

This comes as area hospitals have activated emergency operations due to a surge in pediatric cases, according to a statement released by the NMDOH.

The department compiled a list of tips to stay safe during the holidays:

• Stay up-to-date with all vaccinations and boosters.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Regularly clean high-tough services.
• Regularly wash hands, or use hand sanitizer.
• Consider wearing facial coverings, especially those who are high-risk or around high-risk individuals, and especially when indoors with people who you do not live with.
• Get tested.
• If you are sick or test positive, stay home.
• Watch for new symptoms.
• Wear a mask when travelling, preferably a well-fitted, high quality mask (K95 or KN95).

The NMDOH also provided several resources, where you can find more information on respiratory illnesses and how to help prevent them.

• The DOH flu or COVID page.  
• The CDC’s full list of symptoms for COVID-19.  
• The CDC's isolation calculator for guidelines on isolating and exposure.
• Learn more about home COVID-19 tests.