DOVER, Del. — About a third of all inmates at the Sussex Correctional Institution near Georgetown have tested positive for COVID-19, the Delaware Department of Correction announced Monday.
The 973 inmates at Sussex Prison have been evaluated, and 320 of them tested positive for COVID-19, according to the state. Among them, correctional officials say 90 percent of them are asymptomatic and 32 inmates have shown symptoms of the disease. Four inmates were said to be in hospitals and did not need the assistance of a ventilator.
In a press release, DOC Commissioner Claire DeMatteis said the virus hit three open bedroom buildings at SCI.
“We have isolated inmates with the disease at our COVID-19 Treatment Centers, where they receive 24-hour care and monitoring by medical professionals. We are taking extraordinary steps to protect and treat our inmates and staff and reduce risk of new infections, including unprecedented relocation of inmates to different ICS housing units and extensive specialized decontamination cleanups to contain further spread of the virus. “
The DOC also said that 21 SCI officers tested positive for the disease, and 18 other SCI officers were quarantined pending the results of the COVID-19 test.
A total of 17 inmates at the Morris Community Corrections Center (MCCC) in Dover also tested positive for COVID-19, the state said. The MCCC group of cases originated with the transfer of three LME inmates who had completed their Level V sentence and were transferred to complete their Level IV incarceration period.
“Voluntary testing was also offered to MCCC officers, without any officer testing positive at that facility,” the press release said.
DOC said it had taken the following steps at SCI and MCCC:Twice daily quarantine and temperature checks, symptom screening tests, and pulse oxygen level tests for inmates in SCI and MCCC.
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- All SCI and MCCC inmates were evaluated for COVID-19. Testing was prioritized for inmates over the age of 60 and those with underlying health conditions, and three dozen inmates with SCI over the age of 60 and those with underlying health conditions that tested negative for COVID-19 were moved last week to a vacant housing building at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center to keep them in a COVID free environment.
- In-person visits to SCI and MCCC were suspended as a precautionary measure to protect inmates and staff from transmission of the disease.
- All programming was temporarily suspended in an effort to restrict movement through the facility. Inmates continue to receive recreation time, including in outside recreation areas.
- COVID-19 voluntary testing is offered to officers and medical personnel at SCI, MCCC and other DOC facilities.
- Additional deep cleanings are underway, including decontamination of housing units with specialized misting machines.
- SCI temporarily stopped accepting new confirmations.
From , 87 COVID-positive inmates have been transferred to the COVID-19 Treatment Center at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), 2 are being treated in the JTVCC infirmary, and 4 are being treated in stable condition in area hospitals . 227 positive LME prisoners remain in that facility where most have been transferred to the SCI COVID-19 Treatment Center that opened the . Nearly three dozen other LVM inmates who tested negative for COVID and who are over the age of 60 and / or have underlying health problems have been temporarily transferred from LME to a vacant building at JTVCC to protect their health in a COVID-free environment. .
Currently, at all correctional facilities, 35 DOC employees and 8 health care contractors have tested positive for COVID-19, while 87 DOC employees and health care contractors assigned to DOC facilities have recovered from the disease. . No additional information on the identity of inmates or staff members will be provided for privacy protection.
This is a developing story and will be updated. Check back for more details as they come back available.
