Police stand guard at the district attorney entrance during the transfer of the two arrested suspects of the murder of seven-year-old Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett to prison in Mexico City
(Photo : Reuters)

As of March 17, 2020, the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has reached 4,743 with the number of deaths at 93. In lieu of the government's attempt to control the spread of the virus, Albuquerque's Metropolitan Detention Center has suspended visitation until further notice. 

The jail is working on providing alternative means to ensure that the inmates are still able to communicate with their families at this time. MDC continues to screen incoming inmates and has not experienced any positive COVID results as of yet. 

The Santa Fe County Department of Public Safety and San Miguel County Detention Center have halted visitation amid the pandemic. They foresee the suspension of visitation to last for a minimum of three weeks. On top of the cancelled visitation, these detention centers have prevented their volunteers from entering the facility to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. 

New Mexico has implemented a social-distancing recommendation that restricts restaurants to service 50% of their normal seating capacity. This measure also demands museums and other public places to close and encourage workers to work from home. 

If infected by the virus, most people will experience cough, colds, and flu, similar to influenza. However, younger, older and people with pre-existing conditions may experience severe illness which may lead to pneumonia, and in worst-case scenarios, death. 

Based on the information shared by the World Health Organization (WHO), those infected by the virus and have strong immune systems may recover as quickly as two weeks while those with weaker immune systems may take up to 6 weeks to get well. 

During the teleconference with President Donald Trump, Governor Michelle Lujan Grishman raised that the New Mexico health officials have reached out to the federal government for additional testing equipment and processing materials but have not received help as of yet. They were reassured that help is coming after a follow up with the Vice President. 

As of today, New Mexico has 21 positive Coronavirus cases over 1,270 tested. Health officials reiterated to their citizens the importance of social-distancing and how it is the best strategy to reduce or limit the spread of the virus. 

The state of New Mexico has issued five executive orders which gives the state additional funding of $3 million specific for emergency response and humanitarian relief. Furthermore, the funds will also be used for additional public health measures and assist families that are affected by the public health emergency declaration earlier this month. 

The public emergency declaration was announced in response to British Film Star Idris Elba's positive coronavirus test after he visited New Mexico. Businesses visited by Elba suspended their operations, had their stores cleaned up and had all employees tested for the virus. 

Cases of coronavirus were previously reported in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Socorro counties. Governor Michelle Lujan Grishman said that they expect an increase in the number of cases as they become more aggressive with their drive-thru screening centers.