New Mexico orders air travelers to self-isolate; 55 new coronavirus cases announced
Algernon D'AmmassaThis story was updated at 5:55 p.m.
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health announced 55 new confirmed cases of coronavirus COVID-19 in the state Friday, bringing the state's total to 191, while Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a new executive order directing all air travelers landing in New Mexico to self-isolate for 14 days.
Per a release from the DOH, the latest positive tests involve:
- 27 new cases in Bernalillo County
- 1 new case in Cibola County
- 1 new case in Eddy County
- 1 new case in Lea County
- 2 new cases in McKinley County
- 1 new case in Rio Arriba County
- 1 new case in Roosevelt County
- 5 new cases in Sandoval County
- 3 new cases in San Juan County
- 7 new cases in Santa Fe County
- 5 new cases in Taos County
- 1 new case in Valencia County
The DOH said 17 individuals were hospitalized Friday for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. It was not clear whether this number included individuals testing positive outside New Mexico and currently hospitalized in the state. It also does not include New Mexicans who may have been transferred to out-of-state hospitals.
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Community spread has been detected within the state, and the DOH reiterated Friday: "Given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive."
The total number of positive tests per county on Friday consisted of:
- Bernalillo County: 82
- Cibola County: 2
- Chaves County: 4
- Curry County: 1
- Doña Ana County: 16
- Eddy County: 2
- Lea County: 2
- McKinley County: 5
- Rio Arriba County: 3
- Roosevelt County: 1
- Sandoval County: 15
- San Juan County: 17
- San Miguel County: 1
- Santa Fe County: 29
- Socorro County: 2
- Taos County: 8
- Valencia County: 1
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The DOH has not disclosed how many tests have been administered in each county.
In previous steps to halt community spread of the virus, New Mexicans have been directed to stay home except for outings absolutely necessary for health, safety and welfare. Non-essential businesses have been closed while others have been directed to implement work-from-home policies to the greatest extent possible.
On Friday, the state Public Education Department announced that schools would remain closed for the remainder of the school year while implementing instruction using online and other, non-technological platforms for delivering instruction and services.
The order for travelers to self-isolate mirrors steps taken recently in Texas as well as Alaska, Florida and Hawaii.
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If travelers do not comply with guidance to self-isolate, the DOH could obtain a court order enforcing the quarantine under provisions of New Mexico's Public Health Emergency Response Act, and civil or criminal penalties could apply.
It was the latest step taken in New Mexico to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. While the majority of the state's confirmed cases have been related to travel outside the state, the DOH has detected community spread within the state as well. A total of 9,387 residents had been tested.
In a livestreamed address Friday, Lujan Grisham said that 47 percent of the known cases are travel-related, and another 20 percent involved contact with someone who had traveled. Other cases remained under investigation although the DOH has said there is community spread in New Mexico.
The governor called for increased physical distancing, advising New Mexicans to act on the assumption they may be positive.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises all international travelers to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor their health upon returning to the United States, and avoid public transportation.
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Under terms of New Mexico's order, individuals who are self-isolating are confined to their lodgings (at their own expense) unless they are seeking medical care. Family or household members visiting the individual would then be directed to self-isolate as well.
The order does not apply to employees of airlines or shipping and freight companies. It also makes exceptions for those performing public safety or public health functions such as federal employees, defense contractors, military personnel, first responders or healthcare workers.
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The order remains in place "through the duration of the public health emergency" declared by Lujan Grisham on March 11.
The health department's website for information related to COVID-19, including symptoms indicating possible referral for a test, is at cv.NMHealth.org.
Testing has been limited to people showing symptoms specific to COVID-19 disease, including fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The DOH hotline for health-related questions is 1-855-600-3453. All COVID-19 questions not directly related to health are referred to 1-833-551-0518.
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Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter.