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DOC tests entire inmate SCI population for COVID-19

One-third are positive; only one in 10 is symptomatic, officials say
July 13, 2020

All 973 inmates have been tested for COVID-19 at Sussex Correctional Institution, with one-third – 303 – inmates testing positive.

Two-thirds – 650 – tested negative and there are 20 test results pending.

“This infectious disease predominately hit three open dormitory-style housing units at SCI. While the number of inmates who have tested positive at SCI is a big number, 90 percent of the inmates have no symptoms. Our proactive testing is working to identify inmates and officers who may be silent spreaders of the virus,” said Commissioner Claire DeMatteis.

DeMatteis said inmates with the disease are isolated in COVID-19 Treatment Centers where they are receiving round-the-clock monitoring and care by medical professionals. “We are taking extraordinary measures to protect and treat our inmates and staff, and reduce the risk of new infections, including unprecedented relocation of inmates to different housing units at SCI and extensive specialized decontamination cleanings to contain further spread of the virus,” she said.

DeMatteis said 32 inmates are showing symptoms, and there are four in area hospitals. None of them are on a ventilator, she said.

In addition, she said, 21 SCI officers have tested positive for the disease, and another 18 SCI officers are in self-quarantine awaiting COVID-19 test results. The DOC offered voluntary testing for all SCI officers due to the high rate of community spread in Sussex County.

As of July 13, officials said, 87 COVID-positive inmates have been transferred to the COVID-19 Treatment Center at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center and two are in the JTVCC infirmary. Nearly three dozen other SCI inmates who tested COVID-negative and who are over 60 years old and/or have underlying health issues have been temporarily transferred from SCI to a vacant building at JTVCC to protect their health in a COVID-free environment, officials said.

Officials said there are some COVID-19 cases at Morris Community Corrections Center in Dover, but no cases at other DOC facilities.

Due to the continued rate of infection in the community, officials said, DOC is temporarily suspending visitation across all DOC facilities, effective midnight, Tuesday, July 14.

DOC has sped up implementation of new virtual video transmission capabilities across Level IV and Level V facilities to enable expanded medical and behavioral health telemedicine and inmate programming. As an additional precaution, officials said, inmate temperature checks, screenings for COVID-19 symptoms and pulse oxygen tests will be restarted this week at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution and Baylor Women's Correctional Institution.

All people who enter any Level V prison, Level IV violation of probation or work release center, or Probation and Parole Office are screened for COVID-19, including a series of questions and a forehead temperature check with a thermometer. Staff who present with symptoms are sent home to self-quarantine and directed to contact their healthcare provider.

Newly arriving inmates are held in isolation for the first 14 days, during which they are carefully monitored, including daily temperature checks with a thermometer.

DOC has implemented extra daily cleaning of DOC facilities and is using specialized fogging machines to disinfect entire rooms of common areas, housing units and workspaces.

Face masks are worn by employees, and more than 4,300 have been provided to all inmates at all Level V prison and Level IV work release and violation of probation facilities statewide.

 

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