Department Of Correction Completes Third Round Of Mass Testing

Press release from the Connecticut Department of Correction:

Nov. 23, 2020

The Department of Correction has recently completed the third round of mass testing of the inmates they supervise. The percentage of inmates who tested asymptomatic positive for the Covid-19 virus has dropped to 0.9%, a significant decrease when compared to the 9% rate following the first round of testing. The second round of offender testing resulted in a 3% positivity rate.

The third round of inmate testing began on October 6, 2020 at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institution and concluded on November 13, 2020 at the York Correctional Institution. A total of 8,647 offenders were tested during the third round, with 80 testing positive.

With an incarcerated population of just under 9,300 in 14 correctional facilities, only 44 inmates 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 inmates who have tested positive for the presence of the novel coronavirus can be attributed to the Department of Correction’s staff members adhering to protocols designed to mitigate the spread of the virus, including the thorough cleaning of facilities, as well as the wearing of masks by both correctional staff and offender population.

To further insure the health of the inmate population, Department Healthcare staff have been providing flu shots for the inmate population.

A fourth round of mass testing of Department of Correction staff who have direct contact to the offender population has also recently concluded. A total of 5,110 correctional professionals have been tested. Of those, 65 tested positive for a positivity rate of 1.3%.

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 further increase the rate of testing for both staff and offenders alike.

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 is great news as we begin the second wave of the pandemic. This is proof that our efforts to maintain the spread of the virus are working,” Commissioner Designate Angel Quiros said. “I realize that we are not out of the woods yet, but with a proven plan, and phenomenal staff – we are ready."

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