The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced two additional positive COVID-19 test results. One additional inmate has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 13 inmates to test positive for the virus. One additional Correctional Officer has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 13 Correctional Officers to test positive for the virus.
– An inmate at the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown. When this inmate began to experience flu-like symptoms on Sunday, April 12 he was immediately moved to isolation, where he received a COVID-19 test. The positive test result was returned on Tuesday, April 14. The inmate continues to be treated in isolation at the facility and is in stable condition. All other inmates in the same housing unit are being carefully monitored by medical and security staff, including daily temperature checks.
– A Correctional Officer, who is assigned to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna (JTVCC). The Correctional Officer was last at the facility seven days ago – on Wednesday, April 8. After beginning to experience flu-like symptoms, the Officer began to self-isolate at home, and as symptoms developed the Officer sought medical attention, at which time a COVID-19 test was administered. The positive COVID-19 test result was received by the Officer on Tuesday, April 14 and verified by the DOC.
No additional information will be provided about the identity of the inmate and the Correctional Officer for privacy protection.
Note: Of the twelve inmates from JTVCC who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, ten are being housed in the JTVCC COVID-19 treatment center. One inmate continues to be treated in an area hospital and is in stable condition and not on a ventilator, and one inmate continues to be treated in the prison infirmary and is in stable condition.
“All of our facilities are continuing to follow our comprehensive prevention, screening, and cleaning protocols while being vigilant in looking for and immediately reacting to symptoms of illness among employees and the individuals in our custody,” Commissioner Claire DeMatteis said.
The DOC is employing a variety of prevention, screening, cleaning and containment measures to guard against the spread of the novel coronavirus, including:
All persons, including Officers, administrative staff and probationers 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 health care 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 being worn by Correctional Officers and contract healthcare workers as a protection for inmates, Officers and other employees. Face masks are also being provided to inmates who are in infirmaries and certain inmates with institutional jobs.
Most Probationer visits with Probation Officers were transitioned to phone check-ins starting last month to support social distancing measures.
In addition, the DOC has temporarily suspended in-person prison programming to reduce the movement of people into facilities and movement of groups of people within facilities. Certain programs, including treatment and education programs and religious programming, are being transitioned to a virtual video format. Inmates continue to have outside recreation opportunities within their confined areas and continue to have access to phones to stay in regular contact with their loved ones. DOC is also expanding the use of electronic tablets among the inmate population, where available.
Source: DOC