Jail staff, inmates await coronavirus test results
Twenty-two staff members at the San Miguel County Detention Center are currently living at the jail after an inmate tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, according to Warden Matthew Elwell.
New Mexico Department of Health officials tested all inmates and staff members on Wednesday, though he was not given a time frame for when test results would be available. Until the results are known, the 22 staff members — including Elwell — will continue to live at the jail where they are working 12-hour shifts to keep the facility operating.
“It’ll all depend on the testing,” Elwell said. “Right now we can’t make a determination, until we get the results. That’s why we wanted to do 100 percent of inmates and staff. That’s the only way you can determine what direction to take.”