Retirement facility tests 234 for COVID-19

CLOVIS — All of the residents and 95% of staff at Clovis’ Retirement Ranch were tested for COVID-19 on Sunday, according to social services director Trisha Gross.

Gross told The News Monday morning the facility has so far conducted 234 tests, and any remaining tests are still to be conducted on part-time staffers.

Curry County Manager Lance Pyle said Sunday about 75% of residents and staff were tested and the rest would be tested Monday or Tuesday, with the National Guard delivering the tests to Tri-Core Labs in Albuquerque.

The tests, conducted by the New Mexico Department of Health, are in response to Saturday’s announcement that two asymptomatic Ranch staff members had tested positive for the virus.

Results are expected in 24 to 48 hours, Pyle said.

Retirement Ranch posted on its Facebook page that the staff members have been placed on leave until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH “deem it is safe for them to return.”

This weekend was the first time since the pandemic began that area New Mexico senior centers had reported positive tests.

Heartland Continuing Care Center in Portales learned Friday that a 96-year-old resident tested positive for COVID-19 on May 12. The woman was retested on Saturday and results were negative, Heartland CEO Ranelle Tweedy said. Another test is planned, but Tweedy said she is awaiting health department instructions for the best time. The Portales resident also is asymptomatic and has shown no sign of illness, Tweedy said.

Tweedy said all of the Center’s 52 residents and its 39 staff have been tested for the coronavirus since May 12 and all but the one has been negative.