Multnomah County is closely following public health guidance to ensure the safety of everyone in corrections facilities. Corrections Health has notified the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office that a third Corrections Health employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
Public health officials are performing contact tracing with Corrections Health employees but confirmed that the person had no close and prolonged contact with adults who are detained or with deputies. Additional details cannot be shared about the employee’s protected health information.
Adults in custody had no contact with the two other Corrections Health employees who had previously tested positive, according to public health.
Corrections Health has already directed increased cleaning of shared work areas, and recommended all employees wear face coverings in the workplace when closer than six feet apart.
Officials say the person worked in an area where employees follow Health Department recommendations to reduce risk of transmission, including frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, physical distancing and use of face covering. Health Department recommendations include asking employees to watch for symptoms, to stay home at the first sign of sickness and to call their provider if symptoms develop. All Corrections Health staff are required to wear face coverings when at work and to practice physical distancing as much as possible with coworkers.
"We are now requiring the use of face coverings while at work in all areas and have required the use of surgical masks when delivering any patient care to the adults in custody. That and our other risk management strategies are designed to reduce the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19. We continue to offer our best wishes for recovery to the involved employees and their families," said Dr. Michael Seale, Corrections Health Director.
To learn more about the preventative measures being taken by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, please visit their website: https://www.mcso.us/site/COVID_19.php. Multnomah County Health Department is also leading the public health response. See more at:/covid19.