The Juvenile Services Division is committed to the health and safety of youth in our facility, our workforce and community we serve.
On Dec. 17, 2020, the Juvenile Services Division was notified that a youth in detention, and an employee in the detention facility, tested positive for COVID-19. Following the notification, in coordination with Public Health and Corrections Health, staff immediately acted by implementing pre-planned infectious disease protocols. These actions include:
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Quarantining impacted youth and staff.
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Restricting movement between units within the facility and limiting access to the impacted units to only essential detention and medical personnel.
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Testing of all youth in the specific units where potential exposure was identified. Two additional youth tested positive.
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Working closely with Multnomah County’s Public Health Officer and Communicable Disease response specialist to review case history, information, and protective actions. This includes contact tracing to assess personnel movement involving the individuals during the 48 hours leading up to the positive notification.
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Meeting with health partners to review and analyze potential exposure and coordinate next steps.
The Juvenile Services Division is working side-by-side with public health COVID-19 experts, the Multnomah County Health Officer and Corrections Health as they monitor these individuals.
“We continue to take all recommended measures to best protect the health and safety of youth housed in our facility, our staff members and the community,” said Department Director Erika Preuitt. “Of paramount importance is both the physical and mental health of the youth impacted and we are committed to addressing their needs as they are in quarantine. In addition, we have developed a plan to staff our facility and will continually update as needed.’’
For more information on COVID-19, including symptoms of which you may want to be aware, please visit the County’s COVID-19 website, which has practical advice and information on testing and other guidance, or the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 website or the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 website.
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