GALLUP, N.M. – An alcohol detox center in Gallup that was closed earlier this month because of a lack of staff to operate the facility has reopened to house intoxicated people who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease.
NCI Detox reopened last weekend after being closed the previous week because of some employees going into quarantine because of exposure to the virus and others refusing to work because of fear of being exposed to the virus, the Gallup Independent reported Saturday.
That was after a client tested positive. Since then, several clients tested positive for COVID-19.
Since reopening, the detox center has been admitting intoxicated people only if they are positive for COVID-19 or have recovered, Executive Director Kevin Foley said.
Gallup City Manager Maryann Ustick said Friday that the New Mexico Department of Health was negotiating with NCI to figure out how to process people from a detox hold into a quarantine hold when they become sober.
Foley said the detox center was able to reopen with help from the state Department of Health, the New Mexico National Guard and the Gallup Police Department.
The National Guard provided 17 service members to perform duties that include answering phones, cleaning and help conduct blood-alcohol tests but they are not allowed to touch clients, Foley said.
Two police officers, two or three NCI staff members and a certificated nurse assistant work each shift, Foley said.
National Guard and police personnel were trained by doctors from Gallup Indian Medical Center about how to properly wear and remove personal protective equipment to avoid contamination.
Foley commended Police Chief Franklin Boyd because Boyd “was the first one suited up in protective personal equipment and he took the lead. A lot of his staff were afraid also.”
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
In another development related to the outbreak, the shutdown of the Rail Runner Express commuter rail service between Belen and Santa Fe has been extended through May 15.
“It is our hope that by suspending service for at least the duration of the declared state of emergency that we help limit people’s exposure to the public health risk created by COVID-19,” said Dewey Cave, executive director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
