Otero County Prison quarantine lifted after test results come back negative

EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — The Otero County Prison that was quarantined for several days has been lifted after test results came back negative.

Health officials at a prison in southern New Mexico were working to stop the spread of chickenpox.

Some inmates at the Otero County prison were placed in quarantine.

All but one of the housing units were taken off isolation. Only one unit with 19 woman inmates remains in isolation.

The prison said one inmate was diagnosed with chickenpox and staff acted quickly as a precaution.

As of Thursday, there is only one confirmed case.

Just off Highway 54 in New Mexico, you can see some inmates out enjoying a sunny spring day.

What you don't see is others in isolation who may have been exposed to chickenpox.

Chantel Virammontes lives just up the street from the prison.

"I've seen things go and come out here in Chaparral,” said Virammontes. "Probably about a mile. Sounds very extreme, it's scary."

She tells me she's worried.

Virammontes says her heart goes out to both the inmates and their families right now.

"You know, I hate to see it. I've been here for 38 years,” said Virammontes.

Jeff Gore agrees but says he's glad the prison is doing what it feels is needed.

"Well, if it's necessary from keeping it from getting spread, it's the right thing to do,” said Gore.

Gore told CBS4 he knows various people throughout the Chapparal community who work in the prison.

"It still could possibly get spread to one of the guards, and one of the guards could spread it to the community,” said Gore.

The prison said it has several housing units quarantined but didn't say how many or the number of prisoners that includes.

The prison said visitors are still allowed on the weekends.

Some of those inmates have been isolated for 11 days now.