The Grayson County Detention Center is taking several steps to counter the possibility of staff or inmates becoming infected with COVID-19.
In a press release, Jailer Jason Woosley said, “Over the past several days, the Grayson County Detention Center (GCDC) has been in close contact with our housing partners on the federal and state level concerning outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus around the country.”
“Even though there are currently no cases of illness identified locally and no situations of illness of any type at the detention center,” Woosley said, “we believe in attacking this emerging situation proactively.”
Woosley further noted that the detention center has “longstanding policies in place to deal with mass illness brought on by either biological pathogens or environmental contaminants.” The jailer said those policies have been reviewed and are ready to be implemented should it become necessary during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In addition to steps already outlined in policy, Woosley, in coordination with federal, state and local officials, has decided to take proactive steps to address the situation.
Effective immediately, the following precautions are being implemented:
- All employees and inmates will be monitored for symptoms of respiratory infection
- Proper hygiene etiquette by both staff and inmates in a possible infectious environment will be reinforced
- Previous staff training on infection control procedures will be reinforced
- Proper supplies — personal protective equipment (PPE) — that can reduce the chance of a spread of pathogens will continue to be provided
- Individuals who may become symptomatic will be isolated and provided with PPE, along with any staff treating or transporting them
- “Clean teams” will be designated and provided proper PPE and supplies to disinfect high traffic areas, or areas known to be contaminated in an ongoing and frequent basis
- Stations will be set up within the facility where persons may easily access hand sanitizers, and existing stations will remain stocked
- All necessary resources will be mobilized, inventoried and tracked to head-off any potential shortages of critical resources and supplies
- Inmate visitation is suspended until a decision is reached by involved parties that it may resume safely
- Entry into any facility operated by the GCDC by non-essential personnel (programs, religious services, etc) is suspended until a decision is reached by all parties involved that such entry does not pose a danger to the safe and secure operations of these facilities
- All new intakes to the GCDC shall be screened by medical personnel for signs of respiratory infection and appropriate infection prevention practices will be implemented
- Suspend face-to-face attorney/client meetings and transition to video conference or “through the glass” meetings
- Work with all community assets, including the local health department, to provide the most up-to-date information to the community, our staff and inmates housed at the GCDC
“Once again, these steps are being taken as a precaution should outbreaks of COVID-19 continue throughout the state and country,” Woosley stated. “This agency is committed to taking all necessary actions to combat this evolving situation and we will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners as new information becomes available.”
Woosley added, “This is a unique situation for our country as a whole and we understand that anyone with a loved one in one of our facilities will be concerned about those individuals. We are taking these actions in the belief that it is the absolute best way to deal with this outbreak moving forward to safeguard everyone’s health.”
Further updates will be provided when the current situation changes.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
