SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say a Republican lawmaker in the New Mexico House of Representatives and four employees at the state Capitol have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week. House Republican spokesperson Matthew Garcia-Sierra said in an email on Thursday that he was “informed one of our members tested positive, and I am also aware that there were four other positive cases.” Garcia-Sierra said Republican leaders are speaking with the state Department of Health about how to proceed. He also said Republican lawmakers and staff members have been told to stay home on Friday. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Townsend said the male lawmaker, who was not named, is asymptomatic and doing fine.
House Speaker Brian Egolf issued this statement Thursday night:
"I wish for a fast and full recovery of the staff and member who have tested positive for COVID-19. This is an unpredictable virus, and I sincerely hope their case is mild or asymptomatic.
My office is taking this situation very seriously, and the Department of Health is conducting the necessary contact tracing to identify any additional positive cases in order to prevent further spread within the building.
The Democratic leadership and members of the House have taken every measure to protect the safety and health of all members and staff, even while we have struggled to have certain minority members comply with mask-wearing and other simple health and safety directives.
I was dismayed to learn today that the Republican caucus had a catered luncheon within the capitol on Monday, at which members did not wear masks, and gathered in a small space.
In light of this and other refusals by House members to follow COVID-safe protocols and rules designed to protect members and staff, I am taking immediate steps within the House to protect the safety and health of staff and members. From this day forward, all committee rooms in the Capitol will be closed; all committee participation will be exclusively by Zoom, and members may not congregate in rooms to participate in committee meetings. Additiona
I strongly encourage all members to participate remotely, even if that means participation from their offices in the Capitol.
I want to be clear, any individuals who contract the virus should not feel personally responsible. We need all members and staff to take these precautions seriously and to comply with existing and new health directives to keep everyone safe as we continue the people’s business."
A statement from House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia), and House Republican Whip Rod Montoya (Farmington):
“The Speaker has chosen to address the very serious COVID crisis in the Roundhouse by relaying a political narrative to the media that House Republicans had a catered lunch. The allegation of a catered lunch is nothing more than a red-herring. A member did pick up individually packaged meals that were distributed to members. Restaurant, homemade and individually packaged meals are eaten by everyone who is working in the Capitol. Under the Governor’s public health order, New Mexicans are allowed to remove their masks to eat and drink beverages. We would like clarification if that is not the case, either in the public health order or within the COVID-safe rules in the Roundhouse.
The Speaker should show more concern about the five, unrelated, positive cases within the Roundhouse. We have verified with all of our staff and lawmakers that there are not any further positive cases. We have issued notice to our entire staff and caucus that if they have been exposed they must immediately follow COVID protocol and quarantine. Additionally House Republicans have been open and transparent about the single case within our legislative caucus. Our leadership chose immediately to address the positive test to ensure that our staff and members had proper notice. We directed staff and legislators not to return to the Capitol today so we could do adequate COVID tracing and a deep cleaning.
The Speaker should be more concerned with the five positive cases that are spreading in the Capitol, outside of House Republican offices, instead of attempting to deflect with politically charged accusations. Further, we are extremely disappointed that the knowledge of the unrelated five additional cases were withheld from House Republican lawmakers and staff. The fact remains, there is COVID spread in the Roundhouse, and it is a danger to staff, lawmakers and media who have been present in the building.”
###