LAKEPORT—An inmate confined at the Hill Road Correctional Facility in Lakeport tested positive for COVID-19 virus after a specimen was collected on Tuesday, April 19 according to information made public by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Officials noted that the inmate is not displaying any symptoms of illness. When the positive test result was received the inmate was placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus.
Law enforcement officials noted Monday that this is all the information they can provide about the inmate because of medical privacy laws.
Additionally, they revealed this test was completed as part of a 100 test survey to determine if the virus could be detected in the inmate population or Sheriff’s Office staff. All participants were asymptomatic so lab testing was not prioritized, causing the delay in receiving these results. As of today, the results of 91 tests have been received and this is the only positive.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified all inmates and staff who may have come into close contact with the inmate. Following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in consultation with the Lake County Public Health Official, inmates who had direct contact with the infected inmate are currently in medical isolation.
On March 12, 2020, the Sheriff’s Office instituted enhanced measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the jail. They include suspending jail programs and visitation, screening all staff prior to entry to the facility, placing inmates who are in custody for minor offenses on home detention, enhanced medical screening at booking, wearing of face masks by staff, designating bed spaces for isolation and quarantine, among others.
“Our jail continues to undergo comprehensive regular cleaning and disinfecting,” officials noted.
“The Sheriff’s Office has implemented safeguards to improve the health and well-being of inmates and employees. We have been providing comprehensive education to the jail population and staff on how to reduce chances of exposure and infection. We have implemented social distancing, virtual meetings, working from home, as well as paused non-essential meetings, travel and training. We have hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, face masks and disposable gloves readily available to employees,” officials added, stating that this is a developing situation and that they will provide updates as information becomes available.
As of May 4, 2020:
Number of inmates in isolation: 17
Number of inmates tested for COVID-19: 75
Number of inmates tested positive: 1
Number of inmates tested negative: 70
Number of pending test results: 4
To learn more about all the steps being taken to keep everyone in our custody safe and healthy, visit www.lakesheriff.com and explore our Coronavirus2019 response plan http://www.lakesheriff.com/Assets/Sheriff+Site/coronavirus.pd
