A patient showing possible symptoms of Ebola was admitted to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe Monday, and had been in isolation as a precautionary measure. The patient was taken out of isolation around 5:30 p.m. The State Department of Health told the hospital the patient did not meet the criteria for Ebola testing because of the patient's travel history and symptoms. A hospital spokeswoman also said the hospital was never under any sort of lockdown. Mandi Kane said EMS workers alerted the hospital the patient was en route, and that the hospital immediately activated its Infectious Disease Protocol. She said the patient was placed in isolation as a precaution.
The name of a disqualified Navajo presidential candidate will remain on the ballot, and the election will proceed as planned Nov. 4. The Navajo Board of Election Supervisors met Monday and voted 7-1 in favor of holding the elections as scheduled and keeping Chris Deschene (des-CHEE'-nee) on the ballot. Last week, a tribal hearing officer disqualified Deschene as a candidate after he refused to demonstrate whether he is fluent in Navajo, as required by tribal law. Two of Deschene's primary opponents filed grievances over what they say is his lack of fluency. Deschene says he's proficient in the language and is being singled out. Deschene has vowed to appeal to the Navajo Supreme Court. If he loses, the third-place finisher in the primary election would face Joe Shirley Jr.
The mayor of Artesia, the southeastern New Mexico city where immigration authorities are holding nearly 500 detainees, says dozens of immigrants have been released. Specifically, Artesia Mayor Phillip Burch told The Associated Press that 68 detainees were released and around 14 were deported last week. He says federal immigration officials reported around 479 detainees remain at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia and more expected to arrive in the coming days. Burch says ICE staff briefed Artesia officials on the latest numbers during a weekly meeting. An ICE spokeswoman says 324 detainees have been deported to Central America since the center opened three months ago. The Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review says it told The AP a "special request" taking 10 to 15 days was required for information on immigration judges' latest decisions.
Candidates for governor and other offices are disclosing their fundraising as campaigns prepare for the closing stretch to Election Day. New finance reports show Democrat Hector Balderas holding a more than 8-to-1 campaign cash advantage over Republican Susan Riedel. The latest finance reports filed with the Secretary of State's office cover campaign fundraising and spending from September second through October sixth. In the governor's race, incumbent Republican Susana Martinez had cash-on-hand of three-point-eight million at the start of September while Democratic challenger Gary King reported a cash balance of nearly 158-thousand dollars. The gubernatorial candidates are to file new reports today.
Five top administrators in the Veterans Affairs' health care system in New Mexico received more than 24-thousand dollars’ in bonuses in 2013 despite complaints from veterans about lapses and delays in care. Documents obtained by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information request show the director of the New Mexico system collected bonuses totaling nearly nine-thousand dollars last year.
University of New Mexico Hospital is back on track with this year's public flu shot clinics after manufacturing issues delayed delivery of the vaccine. The hospital announced Monday the first drive-thru clinic will take place as scheduled Saturday in northeast Albuquerque. Officials say they received a small shipment of vaccine two weeks ago and that was set aside for vulnerable patient populations. Another shipment arrived last week and more doses are expected be delivered later this month, allowing the hospital to move forward with the free clinics. Hospital epidemiologist Meghan Brett says people still have time to get vaccinated since flu season typically ramps up in December and peaks later in the winter. The New Mexico Health Department is also holding vaccination clinics around the state.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny skies today through tomorrow, with highs in the mid-to-upper 60s. Tonight: Clear, with the overnight low, 40.