SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Santa Fe County
Santa Fe County announces the first positive test for Coronavirus at the Adult Detention Center. Precautionary measures are currently being taken to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff. Following protocol established by the State, the result was immediately reported to the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH).
The inmate was first tested on March 28, 2020 with a negative result. On April 7 he was not feeling well, was taken to the doctor at the facility, and re-tested. At that point, he was once again moved to the quarantine pod. The second test result received on Sunday, April 12 confirmed that he is positive for COVID-19.
The County then began the process of contact tracing, in order to determine all interactions, the positive inmate had with other inmates and staff. All inmates who may have had contact with the person in question, have been moved to a single cell quarantine pod within the facility. At the County’s request, today DOH arrived at Adult Detention Center and completed the testing of a total of 41 people, which includes 33 inmates and 8 staff members. Results from the state lab should be returned to the County in 24 to 48 hours.
The facility is currently being thoroughly disinfected and staff members tested, have been sent home to wait for the results of the tests.
Recognizing the dangers COVID-19 poses to those in congregate living settings, the County has worked diligently to prepare for a possible positive and will now move forward on proactive measures established within the facility which, include but are not limited to enhanced cleaning, continued testing, contact tracing, and adjusting the facility to distance inmates.
