Curry County Detention Detainee Tested Positive for COVID-19

CLOVIS (KSMX)- The Curry County Detention Center announced one detainee has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the press release, the detainee was brought into the facility by the Clovis Police Department and has been quarantined since being booked into the facility. The detainee was tested on July 18, and the result was received this morning. Currently, there are no other positive tests confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) at the facility.

Comprehensive testing of inmates and staff had been implemented prior to this positive case as 100% percent of Curry County Detention Center staff and contractors and 25% percent of detainees were tested as of May 15, and all test results were negative. In addition, since May, 152 employees and 349 detainees have been tested with 49 tests pending. Curry County Detention Center in partnership with our onsite medical provider Wellpath, has initiated testing of all detainees that may have had direct contact with the detainee and all staff. There are currently 170 detainees at the facility, 67 security staff, and 13 contractors. DOH and Wellpath provided immediate access to test kits.

Curry County Detention Center continues to comply with COVID Safe Practices by requiring temperatures be taken before and after each shift, medically isolate any detainees experiencing symptoms, masks worn at all times, and screen all staff and any that experience symptoms are tested and are immediately sent home to quarantine.

On June 12, the Curry County Detention Center implemented the following additional protocols:

• Screen and test all new intakes regardless of the length of stay and before they are moved into the general population
• Surveillance testing of 5% of detention staff weekly

It was reported that this particular exposure occurred out of the State. Curry County Manager Lance Pyle and Detention Administrator Mark Gallegos requested assistance from the public in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community by following COVID Safe Practices of wearing face masks in public, maintaining social distancing and practicing good hygiene.

The County will provide additional details when they become available.