New Mexico Retirement Community Confirms Coronavirus Deaths

The state Department of Health confirmed a new outbreak of coronavirus as the cause of death for two residents at La Vida Llena, a New Mexico retirement community. Both men were of an advanced age, one in his 80s and the other in his 90s, and both also suffered from underlying medical conditions.

While awaiting the results of hundreds of COVID-19 tests conducted at this retirement community for the residents and caregivers, another confirmed case was revealed at a nursing home in Santa Fe.

The Governor’s Office had no response when it was asked about the identity of the Santa Fe retirement community where this new case was discovered. However, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham reported in a news conference that everyone at the facility will be tested for the virus by state officials. An unconfirmed report indicates the possibility that a staff member providing care to the residents may have spread the virus before becoming symptomatic.

Rising Number of Cases in New Mexico State

On the heels of the announced outbreak at La Vida Llena, news came from the Governor’s Office reporting a third death from the virus, as well as confirmation of 92 new COVID-19 cases in the state. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, this was the highest number of confirmed new cases in a single day since March, when New Mexico reported its first discovered case. There are now a total number of 495 confirmed cases in the state and 10 deaths.

Ongoing Concerns For New Mexico Residents

As COVID-19 continues to rapidly infect others across the state, including frontline caregivers and vulnerable elderly residents, Gov. Lujan Grisham and other health officials voiced additional concerns amid the ongoing pandemic:

• New Mexico fears a severe shortage of medical supplies around late April or early May when the projected number of cases is expected to peak at between 250,000 and 1.25 million. Currently the state only has 471 ventilators available, however, they project they will need more than 1,000 ventilators and thousands of intensive care units.
• As the seventh-ranking state for the number of residents with diabetes, there are a greater number of people with an increased risk for developing a more severe, life-threatening form of coronavirus.
• Even though New Mexico was expected to receive a shipment of ventilators from the federal government, per Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) formula to provide a certain number of ventilators to each state, they are now not expecting to receive any from the national stockpile. Gov. Lujan Grisham attributes this to the “incredible purchase competition” created by the federal government to obtain these lifesaving supplies.

As 41 new patients were hospitalized with coronavirus on Friday, Gov. Lujan Grisham obtained permission from the Trump administration to bring in as many as 750 National Guard soldiers to help the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The national guard’s assistance will likely be limited to obtaining necessary supplies, helping to deliver meals and transporting test samples to the labs.

Get Legal Help From Our Attorneys Online

At PKSD, our licensed attorneys are here to provide the legal help you need during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

If you are concerned that your loved one is not receiving the proper care and protection amid widespread coronavirus outbreaks, we encourage you to contact our Wisconsin nursing home abuse lawyers and arrange for a free online consultation to discuss your legal concerns.

We have extensive knowledge about the responsibility of nursing homes during viral outbreaks, and we are prepared to fully handle your case through our secure online process.

Initial consultations are completely free and there is no obligation or risk to you. We charge no upfront retainer costs, and you only pay us for our services if we obtain compensation for you.

PKSD Law. Protecting your health. Providing legal help online when you need it. 414-333-3333