The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our workforce, adults in custody and those we serve. It’s important during a pandemic that we are transparent, while protecting privacy rights and health information of individuals.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has been working closely with Public Health partners who have identified that six employees working at the Multnomah County Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last three weeks. Two of the six individuals were infected outside of Multnomah County, and did not report to work after feeling ill.
A sixth employee tested positive this week. Public Health has advised the Sheriff’s Office there was no further exposure or action needed.
In general, when someone tests positive for COVID-19, the Health Department in their county of residence opens a case investigation and works directly with the individual to determine if other people, including co-workers, have been exposed. These investigations are occurring.
Public health partners continue to believe there is no exposure risk to adults in custody or anyone who has visited or worked intermittently at the Detention Center. After learning of the initial positive tests in our agency, Sheriff Mike Reese notified all staff and local criminal justice partners and is continuing to share information.
Additional details cannot be shared about the employees’ protected health information. Since the onset of COVID-19, The Sheriff's Office has taken measures to reduce the spread of the virus. To learn more, please visit our website: https://www.mcso.us/site/COVID_19.php