The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
COVID-19 found at community based correctional facility
The Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility in Elyria is dealing with the spread of the novel coronavirus inside, facility leaders said.
But there is no plan to release the residents there as testing continues for COVID-19, according to the facility leaders.
With staff and residents testing positive for the disease, the Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility, Lorain County Public Health and other public health experts were working to contain it, according to plans announced this week.
All residents were tested July 10 and all staff were to be tested July 14, according to plans announced by facility Executive Director Mike Willets.
The corrections facility, 9892 Murray Ridge Road, is working with County Public
Health to track the contagion, while maintaining programming and releasing residents who complete the courses there.
The facility has space for 102 men and 28 women, with about 50 staff covering operations 24 hours a day, according to details announced as part of a 2017 expansion there.
As of July 13, the positive test results were among the residents and staff of the male population at the site.
Willets praised the guidance, direction and support or Lorain County Public Health, as well as the dedication of facility staff.
Their goal is “to continue the essential function of the facility during the pandemic .”
“The staff at Lo rain County Public Health Department responded quickly to the needs of the facility and partnered with the facility in putting together a plan that addresses current health issues facing our staff and residents,” Willets said. “Our staff has worked diligently throughout the crisis and continues to focus on our mission – reducing recidivism in our population.”
The facility had about 35 positive test results among residents and two among staff, said Lorain County Public Health Commissioner David Covell.
The current situation began developing July 1, when a staff member notified the facility administration that she was experiencing a symptom of COVID-19, according to a timeline supplied by the facility.
County Public Health was notified and the employee was placed on leave, directed to quarantine and be tested for COVID-19.
On July 5, the employee reported a positive test result, with the news shared with Lorain County Public Health and the facility staff and residents.
“During the process of contact tracing, the staff member indicated that she had followed mask recommendations and practiced distancing to the extent possible in a correctional setting,” according to the facility announcement.
A second staff member reported a positive result July 9.
That staff member experienced no symptoms, but was tested based on underlying conditions by her health care provider and reported the result immediately to the correctional facility administration.
That result also was shared with Lorain County Public Health.
“Residents of the facility had expressed concern after being advised of the first staff member’s positive result,” the facility statement said.
To address those concerns, the correctional facility coordinated with County Public Health to implement a testing program to determine exposure of the resident population.
Residents with symptoms were tested July 8.
The next day, four residents were evaluated at UH Elyria Medical Center and found to test positive for COVID-19.
That led to tests for all residents July 10, with initial results showing eight positive results.
Additional results arriving July 13 showed more positive cases, according to the facility announcement.
University Hospitals, Mercy Health and Aramark Food Services also provided support for the correctional facility.
The Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility began its COVID-19 response plan March 19, according to the facility website.