CT Corrections:Second Round Of Mass Testing For Novel Coronavirus

Press release from the Connecticut Department of Corrections:

September 30 2020

The Department of Correction has completed the second round of mass testing of its staff and the offenders they supervise. The percentage of offenders who tested asymptomatic positive for the Covid-19 virus dropped to 3% compared to the 9% rate following the first round of testing.

The second round of offender testing began on July 23, 2020 at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institution and concluded on September 8, 2020 at the Brooklyn Correctional Institution. A total of 8,556 offenders were tested during the second round, with 241 positive results. There has not been a symptomatic offender since September 2, 2020.

With an incarcerated population of approximately 9,400 in 14 correctional facilities, only seven offenders are currently asymptomatic positive for the novel coronavirus. Those asymptomatic positive offenders have been isolated from the rest of the population and are being closely monitored by health services staff for the 14-day recovery period. The other offenders who had tested positive have since completed their 14-day isolation period and have been medically cleared.

The decrease in the number of offenders who have tested positive for the presence of the novel coronavirus can be attributed in no small part to staff maintaining thorough cleaning of the facilities, as well as the wearing of masks by both correctional staff members and the offender population.

The Department of Correction is also conducting mandatory testing of staff who have direct interaction with the offender population. Since July 17, 2020, a total of 10,083 correctional professionals have been tested, with 13 asymptomatic positive results. Staff members who test positive must recover at home for the 14-day period and must be cleared by their personal medical provider before being allowed to return to work.

The Department of Correction Healthcare administrators are currently working with the State’s Department of Public Health to formulate a plan for future testing of both staff as well as offenders.

Some of the highlights of the second round of testing results include:

• With the second round of testing, the overall percentage of positive test results for offenders has dropped to 3%, down by two thirds from the first round.

• No CT DOC offender has displayed Covid-19 related symptoms since September 2, 2020.

• Only seven offenders are currently asymptomatic positive for the virus.

• Zero offenders at the State’s only facility for females, The York Correctional Institution, have tested positive for the virus.

• Zero offenders housed at the Manson Youth Institution have tested positive for the virus.

Department of Correction Mass Testing of Offenders
(July 23 – September 8, 2020)

Connecticut was one of the few departments of corrections across the nation to have undertaken the mass testing of their entire incarcerated population. The Connecticut DOC is understandably proud of not only their testing efforts, but their overall resolve to minimize the spread of the virus as well. The most recent test results show a two-thirds reduction in the positivity rate among offenders, and an approximate one tenth of one percent positivity rate among direct contact staff.

“I am pleased, but not surprised by the drop in the percentage of offenders whose tests results came back positive. said Commissioner Designate Angel Quiros. “The correctional and healthcare staff have done an incredible job throughout the pandemic, I am truly grateful for their commitment to this Agency, I cannot thank them enough.”

“However, this is no time for a victory lap, we must maintain our vigilance to prevent a resurgence of the virus in the future. We will continue to prepare and adjust our response so that we are prepared for whatever comes next,” Quiros added.

The test results come as the Department’s incarcerated population continues to decline. Since March 1, 2020, the Department’s incarcerated population has dropped by more than 3,000 individuals.

This press release was produced by the Connecticut Department of Corrections. The views expressed here are the author’s own.