PORTALES, NM – The Roosevelt County Detention Center had their first detainee test positive for COVID-19. The detainee was transported in from a Texas detention facility on Aug. 28, 2020. The Texas facility advised the transport officer the detainee was quarantined while in custody, and had previously tested negative for COVID-19. The detainee is asymptomatic and was tested on Aug. 31, 2020 at RCDC and is currently quarantined within the facility. The testing results were provided to the Detention Center on Sept. 2, 2020. No additional positive tests have been confirmed by DOH at the facility. There are currently 50 detainees, 27 security staff, as well as 11 additional support staff and contractors.
The facility has been testing at least 15 percent of the detainee population weekly since June, which exceeds the DOH recommendations of 10 percent of the population. DOH has advised the facility to complete new rounds of testing for detainees and staff that could have been exposed. The facility implemented rigorous procedures and protocols early on in response to COVID-19 and continues to maintain these standards. All staff and detainees are being monitored closely for any signs or symptoms and temperatures are taken twice daily.
The County will provide additional details if/when they become available.
