CMS teacher tests positive for COVID-19

Carlsbad Municipal Schools announced August 31 a teacher had tested positive for COVID-19.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerry Washburn said the teacher had not worked with any students in a face-to-face setting.

The name of the teacher was not released to the media. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient confidentiality.

Washburn said the room which the teacher had been utilizing was closed for a deep cleaning, and that that classroom had not been occupied since last Friday.

Washburn said that the district had informed OSHA and the New Mexico Department of Health about the positive test, and initiated contract tracing.

The District issued a letter to parents Aug. 28 noting that on-line instruction would continue "for some time" as local infection rates increased.

Southeast New Mexico schools now allowed to employ hybrid lessons

Carlsbad Municipal Schools began remote learning Aug. 24 with the expectation it could move into a hybrid model for education Sept. 8.

Human Services Secretary David Scrase however, delivered bad news for Eddy County public schools in a news conference last week.

School districts in six "red" counties — Chaves, Eddy, Hidalgo, Lea, Quay and Roosevelt — were not eligible to reopen based upon continued infection rates. Those counties, five of which are in eastern New Mexico near Texas, averaged eight or more daily cases per 100,000 and had a test positivity rate of 5 percent or more.

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A majority of New Mexico counties rated "green," meaning that between Aug. 17 and 23 they reported fewer than 8 daily cases per 100,000 people and had a test positivity rate of under 5 percent.

Athletic practices in Carlsbad and Loving, however, resumed Aug. 31. Artesia's athletes will wait until after Labor Day to restart. Social distance guidelines for athletes and coaches during practice include 5-to-1 athlete-to-coach ratios, required face coverings for everyone and equipment limitations.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Jessica Onsurez can be reached at jonsurez@currentargus.com, @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.

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