The Lake County Jail is monitoring a COVID-19 outbreak in a jail inmate POD.
On April 30, 2021, an inmate in POD 4-North showed symptoms of COVID-19. A rapid test was conducted, and the inmate tested positive. The inmate was subsequently moved to the jail’s medical POD. That same day, a newly remanded inmate tested positive upon their arrival at the jail. That inmate was also moved to the jail’s medical POD.
On May 2, 2021, another inmate in POD 4-North tested positive, that inmate was moved to the jail’s medical POD.
On May 4, 2021, all of the inmates in POD 4-North were tested. Two more POD-4 North inmates tested positive and were moved to a quarantine area in POD 4-North.
On May 6, 2021, the results were received from the remaining 42 inmates tested in POD 4-North. This revealed an additional six inmates were positive. Those six inmates were non-symptomatic. They were moved to the quarantine area in POD 4-North.
All of the inmates who have tested positive are either non-symptomatic or are experiencing mild symptoms.
All of the inmates housed in POD 4-North will be tested again in the upcoming days. POD 4-North is currently in “quarantine status,” which means there will be no internal or external movement of inmates to or from POD 4-North.
All inmates housed in the jail have been provided opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. To date, 78 inmates have consented and have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
The current jail population is 434 inmates.
A number of protocols have been in effect to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 entering the jail, as well as enhanced mitigation procedures should inmates feel ill. These include:
Enhanced medical screening for inmates and employees entering the jail
All newly remanded inmates are COVID-19 rapid tested upon entry into the jail
Inmates are then placed in a ten-day hold
After the ten-day hold, inmates are COVID-19 rapid tested again, before being moved to general population
All newly remanded inmates are provided an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
All jail inmates are provided ongoing opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine
Increased cleanings of jail pods
Minimization of inmates moving from pod to pod
Established a medical segregation area for inmates with mild illness symptoms
Work with Courts & criminal justice partners to establish electronic bond hearings, versus in-person hearings
Inmates who receive a recognizance bond at their initial hearing never enter the jail’s general population area
Utilizing PPEs for all jail staff
All inmates wear facemasks when outside of their cell for any reason
Utilize vacant housing pods to spread the distance between inmates
Inmates are required to eat in their cell, rather than a group setting
Inmates are allowed to have their cell doors open during socialization times, but congregation together in common areas are not allowed
The inmate population receives regular COVID-19 testing of jail inmates and jail employees
The Lake County Jail collaborates closely with the Lake County Health Department and follows the health department’s best-practice guidance for mitigation procedures. The Lake County Jail conducts regular COVID-19 tests on inmates, correctional employees, and correctional contractors. Over the past year, nearly 3,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted on inmates, staff, and contractors.
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