Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services has confirmed the first case of coronavirus COVID-19. The patient is a female in her 50s, who resides in McKinley County.

“Our providers and staff are prepared to meet the challenges of the coronavirus," Chief Medical Officer Dr. Valory Wangler said. "We continue to work hard to protect our patients, staff and providers with the highest level of care, and serve our community during this challenging time. We strongly encourage everyone to follow CDC guidelines on the coronavirus to help limit the spread of the virus. Please stay at home and only go out when absolutely necessary.”

As of March 21, RMCHCS heightened its visitor policy to a No Visitation Policy due to regional coronavirus spread. However, one support person is allowed into the Women’s Health and Birthing and may remain with the patient during labor, delivery and postpartum stay.  One support person may accompany a patient at admissions, but once the person leaves, no visitors will be allowed into the facility to visit the patient. Terminally ill patients may have one visitor at a time, but this will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you have had a fever in the past 14 days or have a cough and difficulty breathing, call RMCHCS COVID-19 Hotline at (505) 236-1074 before coming to the hospital. Drive-up coronavirus testing is available at the main entrance of Rehoboth Christian Hospital for those who qualify.

CDC guidelines:   www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/perpare/prevention.html

Lujan Grisham to businesses: Failure to comply with order will result in 'civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance'

SANTA FE - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham held a press conference on March 23 to announce that the novel coronavirus outbreak has infected at least 83 people in the state and that McKinley County is one of the counties that has two confirmed cases. Rehoboth McKinley Health Care Services confirmed today that a woman in her 50s tested positive for COVID-19.

Lujan Grisham said during Tuesday's press conference that gatherings should not exceed five people in number, and those gathered should stay six-feet apart from one another.

“The only way for us to stop the spread of this virus is for New Mexicans to stop interacting with each other,” Lujan Grisham said. “New Mexicans must be crystal-clear on this point: Right now, every time you leave your house, you are putting yourself, your family and your community at risk. Only by distancing from one another, by remaining home except for essential or emergency travel, can we limit the spread of this virus to the point that it does not overwhelm New Mexico."

This order does not change the status of state and local government operations. Previous orders exempted all persons necessary to maintain the operations of state and local governments. State government has already moved to a largely telework system; local government agencies are strongly encouraged to do the same. Post offices will remain open.

The non-essential business closure mandate remains in effect until April 10.

Essential Businesses List

HEALTHCARE / PUBLIC HEALTH
Hospitals
Walk-in-care health facilities
Emergency veterinary and livestock services
Pharmacies
Medical and wholesale and distribution
Home health care workers or aides for the elderly
Emergency dental facilities
Nursing homes
Residential health care facilities
Research facilities
Congregate care facilities
Intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities
Supportive living homes
Home health care providers
Medical supplies and equipment manufacturers and providers
Medical cannabis

EMERGENCY SERVICES
Law enforcement personnel
First Responders
Firefighters
Emergency management personnel
Dispatch operators
Court personnel

CHILDCARE
Facilities necessary to provide services to those workers employed by essential businesses and essential non-profit entities.

INDIGENT CARE
Homeless shelters
Food banks
Other services providing care to indigent or needy populations

INFRASTRUCTURE OPERATIONS
Public works construction
Commercial and residential construction and maintenance
Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers,  involved in water and waste-water supply
Sewer, trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal
Road and highway repair and construction
Solid waste collection and removal
Nuclear material research and enrichment
Data and internet providers
Data centers
Telecommunications systems

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Farms, ranches and other food cultivation, processing or packaging operations
Grocery stores and supermarkets
All food and beverage stores
Food banks
Farmers’ markets
Vendors who sell food
Convenience stores
Other businesses that generate most of their revenue from the sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and any other household consumer products
Businesses that store, ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences or retailers
Restaurants, but only for delivery or carryout

ENERGY
Gas and oil drilling and refining
Electrical production and distribution
Natural resources extraction or mining operations
Utilities, including their contractors and suppliers, engaged in power generation, fuel supply and transmission

MANUFACTURE
Food processing
Chemicals
Fertilizer
Pharmaceuticals
Sanitary products
Household paper products
Telecommunications
Microelectronics/semiconductors
Primary metals
Machinery
Electrical equipment
Appliance
Components
Transportation equipment

DEFENSE RESEARCH
Laboratories
Defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. government or a U.S. government contractor

TRANSPORTATION
Airport operations
Airlines
Taxis and other private transportation providers
Gas stations
Automobile repair facilities
Retailers who generate most of their revenue from the sale of automobile repair products

SERVICE SECTOR
Plumbers
Electricians
Security services
Custodial services
Other skilled trades necessary to maintaining the safety and sanitation of residences
Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Legal services as necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities
Accounting services as necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Banks
Credit unions
Insurance providers
Payroll services
Brokerage services
Investment management firms

MEDIA
Television
Radio
Newspaper operations

MISCELLANEOUS
Essential manufacturing
Laboratories and defense and national security-related operations supporting the U.S. government or a contractor to the U.S. government
Hardware stores, nurseries and  businesses that generate most of their revenue from the sale of home-improvement goods
Laundromats and dry cleaner services
Funeral homes, crematoriums and cemeteries
Real estate services including brokers, title companies and related services

If you do not work at one of these businesses, Lujan Grisham says please “stay at home.”

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed by the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area IHS that the number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached a total of 29 for Navajo people. This includes cases from Navajo County and Apache County in Arizona, and McKinley County in New Mexico.

A Public Health Emergency “Stay at Home Order” remains in effect requiring all residents of the Navajo Nation to remain home and isolated and all non-essential businesses to close to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.“To prevent a massive public health crisis, every person must remain home," Nez said. "The fact is that the number of positive tests is growing. We know some may need food, medicine, or other essential items, but beyond that we shouldn’t have anyone traveling or going out into the public. This includes public gatherings and meetings."

First responders continue to deliver care packages to residents of Chilchinbeto. Additional resources including coal, firewood, water, and other essential items have arrived for local residents including the elderly and high-risk. The Navajo Police Department is also on the ground informing communities using public address systems from police units. If Chilchinbeto residents have questions or need assistance, please call (928) 871-6271.

To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.

SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Sunday announced eight additional positive tests for COVID-19.

Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:

Two new cases in Bernalillo County:

• A female in her 60s.
• A male in his 30s.

Two new cases in Doña Ana County:

• ​A female in her 50s.
• A female in her 20s.

One new case in McKinley County:

• ​A male 9 years old.

One new case in San Juan County:

• ​A male in his 50s.

Two new cases in Santa Fe County:

• ​A male in his 30s.
• A male in his 40s.

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 65 positive tests for COVID-19:

• Bernalillo County: 34
• Doña Ana County: 4
• Lea County: 1
• McKinley County: 2
• Sandoval County: 7
• San Juan County: 1
• San Miguel County: 1
• Santa Fe County: 10
• ​​Socorro County: 2
• Taos County: 3

The Department of Health has detected community spread. The agency reports that given the infectious nature of the virus it is likely other residents are infected but yet to be tested or confirmed positive. To that end, additional restrictions enacted by order of the secretary of health Thursday are intended to aggressively minimize person-to-person contact and ensure spread is mitigated by social distancing and isolation. Certain businesses are mandated closed; others have been instructed to limit operations. New Mexicans are strongly urged to limit travel to only what is necessary for health, safety and welfare.

The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.

State officials have vigorously encouraged all New Mexicans to practice social distancing procedures: stay home, particularly if you are sick.

Every New Mexican must work together to stem the spread of COVID-19.

New Mexicans who report symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (1-855-600-3453).

People without those symptoms do not need to be tested for COVID-19. This is allergy season, and allergy symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes, nose or throat do not indicate a need for testing. While the state is gratified that COVID-19 testing is increasingly available, we need to prioritize testing for persons with symptoms of COVID-19 infection – fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call 833-551-0518 or visit newmexico.gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information.