WCBC

April 3rd, 2020 by WCBC Radio

As of Thursday  evening, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has 17 total confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 within its system.  None have are being reported or confirmed at any of the Cumberland Correctional Facilities.

The Department’s 17 COVID-19 cases include: three (3) inmates; eight (8) contractual staff; four (4) correctional officers; and, two (2) Division of Parole and Probation employees.

The confirmed cases are spread out among the Jessup, Baltimore, and Hagerstown regions of the state. The breakdown of the cases is:

Jessup Correctional Institution: 8 positive cases (2 inmates; 6 contractual employees)

Metropolitan Transition Center (Baltimore): 2 positive cases (1 correctional officer; 1 contractual employee)

Jail Industries Building (Baltimore): 1 positive case (1 contractual employee)

Dorsey Run Correctional Facility (Jessup): 1 positive case (1 correctional officer)

Maryland Correctional Institution-Jessup: 1 positive case (1 correctional officer)

Maryland Correctional Training Center (Hagerstown): 1 positive case (1 correctional officer)

Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (Jessup): 1 positive case (1 inmate)

Division of Parole and Probation (Hagerstown): 1 positive case (1 supervisor)

Division of Parole and Probation (Baltimore): 1 positive case (1 agent)

A positive COVID-19 test result activates the DPSCS COVID-19 Response Team, which begins contact tracing to determine any staff member, detainee, inmate, or supervised individual with whom the COVID-positive employee may have had contact. For positive employees, contact tracing of possible community exposures is undertaken in cooperation with the local health department. Staff with positive tests are quarantined for a minimum of 14-days, and must be medically cleared before returning to work. Symptomatic staff in contact with those who have tested positive are removed from the workplace and directed to see their medical provider. Asymptomatic staff are monitored. Inmates with positive tests are monitored in isolation from the population for a minimum of 14 days. Symptomatic inmates in direct contact with those who have tested positive are isolated, tested, and monitored. Asymptomatic inmates with close contact to positive case are quarantined and monitored.

The Department’s number one priority is the safety and health of its employees and the inmates in its custody. DPSCS continues to seek direction and guidance from its health authorities, the Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

Now that community transmission of coronavirus is widespread, it is important to remember that all Marylanders are at risk for this new viral infection. Everyone is reminded to monitor their health closely, to contact their health care provider if COVID-19 symptoms such as cough and fever develop, and to restrict their activities to the fullest extent possible.