COVID19 Joint Information Center
March 30, 2020 10:00 a.m.
City of Anthony
Nothing new to report from Mr. Dominguez; Chief Lara reports operations on patrol are going well and noted an increase in CYFD referrals and domestic disturbance calls since the public health order went into effect. She also advised her department has adopted a new protocol on subjects taken into custody during the COVID-19 crisis that monitors for symptomatic conditions. There was a question from the City regarding public park closures, which was addressed by Capt. Shoen in Sunland Park; the mechanism to affect closures of public spaces is the state public health order, which supersedes the local ordinance. Anthony is seeing a lot of calls related to large public gatherings prohibited by the public health order.
City of Sunland Park
Police have been educating the public on prohibited large gatherings, and continue to ask for compliance. Finance WFH three days/week. Closed all parks (11 total). After today, they will be closed to the public in compliance with PHO. SP Sports Complex will be closed; signage going up. Officers will be enforcing no trespass order.
City of Las Cruces
The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and businesses are a top priority for City Council and the leadership in Las Cruces. As such, and consistent with and in support of the direction from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Department of Health public health order the Special Council Meeting on Monday’s March 30th will be held via video conference. To seek public input, we ask that if you have comments/concerns/questions please e-mail your Councilor as follows:
District 1 – kgandara@las-cruces.org
District 2 – tstuve@las-cruces.org
District 3 – gvasquez@las-cruces.org
District 4 – jbencomo@las-cruces.org
District 5 – gsorg@las-cruces.org
District 6 – yflores@las-cruces.org
Mayor – mayor@las-cruces.org
If you need an accommodation for a disability to enable you to fully participate in this event please contact us 72 hours before this event at 541-2115/V.
To view the meeting, visit Lascruces.civicweb.net
DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
COMMUNITY RESPONSE PLANS
Las Cruces Police Department
Patrol has been proactively keeping an eye on school campuses; have seen large number of people congregating at parks. Will continue to seek compliance.
Las Cruces Public Schools
Website is back up; static page will continue to host COVID-19 information.
Principals will allow teachers to enter school one at a time to retrieve belongings, will pack up students’ belongings. Will rollout remote learning model toward the end of the week. YouTube channel is operational and is gaining subscribers.
Doña Ana County
Working with schools to deliver meals at Radium Springs.
Last week, 200 meals were distributed at that site alone. Shows we are meeting that need.
Ramping up senior meals, and will work with a provider for additional funding to address that need. Food continues to be the top need in the county.
State Office of Peer Support has some services available in partnership with area hotels for homeless community.
Opportunity for coordination/collaboration with senior community? Jamie and Andrea discussed briefly.
Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office
Nothing new to report other than an increase in the number of calls for service related to large gatherings, also seeing pop-up entrepreneurs attempting to operate around the public health order. Some enforcement will be necessary – sheriff will call BLM for activity in desert areas outside the city limits.
Village of Hatch
No report Monday.
Town of Mesilla
Fire department is working with the court to assess temperatures prior to people entering the courtroom Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 5; court continues to be closed Tuesday and Thursday.
Memorial Medical Center
Will be part of 2:00 meeting with the City of Las Cruces. No other updates to report.
Mountain View Regional Medical Center
The hospital is working with Vitalant to host a blood drive at the senior center Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. In compliance with social distancing, the drive will be done by appointment only. Flyer is attached to the notes for anyone wanting to share this information. Kelly will send out to the media. 877-25VITAL
Here’s the link for anyone who would like to participate or share:
http://www.bloodhero.com/index.cfm?group=op&step=2&opid=929001&opidh=BA5A45D3A7B7915B71A2199D016D8B6D&idt=43917.3424421
New Mexico State University
Classes start today online across the entire university system. NMSU is boosting wifi signals across campus to support those without an internet connection. Students are able to pull up to academic buildings or coop extension service to connect from the parking lot.
New Mexico State University Police
Needed assistance with a protective custody directive on screening detainees prior to transport. Chief Lara was helpful in providing guidance.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
Working on a report for the city’s meeting today at 2:00.
Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility
No changes, still enforcing medical screening. Video visitation plans are still in progress.
State of NM Aging & Long-Term Illness
For all nursing homes and assisted living residents that may be showing signs or symptoms of having the virus
1. Nursing staff will contact the Covid-19 hotline and follow procedures and,
2. Contact Mr. Chris Burmeister who is the DOH Director of Improvement and Licensing for Skilled Nursing, and Assisted Living Facilities
All facilities are following CMS/CDC guidelines.
Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority (MVRDA)
Have received a lot of calls regarding large gatherings. Those calls were being dispatched to Codes, but will not be doing that any longer. MVRDA is locked down, law enforcement is asked to do business through drive-through.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, El Paso Sector
No report on Monday.
New Mexico Department of Health
No report Monday, but there was a query from Sunland Park on how we can identify on a map where current number of COVID-19 cases are in the community (not to include any sensitive or protected information). El Paso County has a map on www.kvia.com that has general areas indicted for positive cases.
*Please note that David Morgan, the PIO for the local DOH office, is working between Santa Fe and Las Cruces, coordinating media and PR for the state DOH and the Office of the Governor. Because of those priorities, he is not always available to be on the call.