From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) announced on Thursday, March 19, 2020, that one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee works in administration. All individuals who made contact with the employee are now in a 14-day quarantine.
ADOC said there are no positive COVID-19 cases reported among inmates.
“Maintaining the safety, security, and well-being of our inmate population, staff, and the public remains the ADOC’s highest priority, and the Department will continue to work closely with Governor Ivey’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force, the ADPH, and infectious disease control experts to take necessary precautions to mitigate any potential spread of the virus,” ADOC stated.
ADOC said it has been actively preparing for the spread of the virus throughout the state.
“Unfortunately, no one is immune to this virus,” said Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “The physical state of our facilities and our crowded inmate populations are additional challenges we are working diligently to address as we navigate the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. The entire Department is focused on reducing the potential impact of this disease on our correctional system, while maintaining critical operational, rehabilitative, heath, and mental health services.”
The ADOC has the ability to test inmates within the facilities; however, testing will only occur after the ADPH approves a physician’s order. System-wide preventative measures in place include temperature screening of all staff prior to entering the facilities, increased sanitization of facilities with CDC-recommended cleaning supplies, and the suspension of visitation, general legal visits, and work-release and work-center programs. The Department is also minimizing internal transfers of inmates on a case-by-case basis.
Through the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, the ADOC will post all public updates for family and friends of incarcerated individuals, as well as the media, on this website page.