Corrections Health reports four adults in custody at the Multnomah County Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19 on May 9. Rapid testing of potentially exposed adults in custody turned up the five cases since May 6. Because of transfers between facilities, two dorms at Inverness Jail are considered exposed and have been quarantined as a precaution.
Multnomah County public health have also received reports of a small number of staff at the downtown facility who have tested positive for COVID-19 since April 13.
Health officials are working with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office closely to prevent further spread. The cases among staff and adults in custody appear to be separate introductions of the virus, most likely because of high levels of disease spread in the region.
Each person in quarantine is screened daily by nursing staff for fever and symptoms of COVID-19, with more follow up testing planned.
Staff continue to follow mask, distance and disinfection protocols and adults in custody are routinely offered vaccine for COVID-19. Staff from both Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and Corrections Health have had several opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.