Robertson Jail Sees First Cases Of COVID-19
SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – In the wake of our report on the Robertson County Jail’s successful efforts to keep COVID-19 out, the facility is reporting that the virus has finally penetrated their facility.
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began almost 6 months ago, the Roberson County Detention Facility has worked diligently to not have any confirmed COVID- 19 cases,” the agency said in a statement released to Smokey Barn News Friday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, after almost 6 months of not having any confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Robertson County Detention Facility has had 4 inmates who have tested positive with minor symptoms, and 15 inmates that have tested positive who are asymptomatic.
“The cases are within 2 housing units out of 26 housing units within the Detention Facility. The inmates who have tested positive have been placed in quarantine, and are being monitored by our contract medical provider who is in continuous contact with the Health Department. Additionally, all inmates within the Detention Facility have been placed in quarantine.
The Detention Facility currently has 399 inmates, and a request has been placed for enough tests to test all inmates within the facility. The Detention Facility is very familiar with proper and swift handling of communicable diseases.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Officers, other Sheriff’s Office personnel, and approved non-Sheriff’s Office personnel have their temperature checked, and are screened before entering the Robertson County Detention Facility. All staff members are required to wear masks and gloves at all times when in contact with inmates. All inmates are issued masks to wear.
“The Detention Facility has designated staff who are assigned to continuously clean and disinfect all areas and inmate housing areas within the Detention Facility. In addition to current procedures, the Detention Facility has implemented an additional deep cleaning for sanitizing and disinfecting the housing units.”
“The Detention Facility staff and our contract medical provider have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of their diligent efforts, we were able to keep COVID-19 out of our Detention Facility for almost 6 months. This is with almost 2,000 individuals being booked into the Detention Facility during that time period. We have been prepared by having plans and procedures in place for when the time came that COVID-19 would finally enter our facility. These plans and procedures were immediately put into place, and we are working through our continued partnerships with NorthCrest Medical Center, The Department of Health, and our contract medical provider Southern Health Partners to eliminate the spread of COVID-19. I want to thank NorthCrest Medical Center, The Department of Health, our contract medical provider Southern Heath Partners, and our Sheriff’s Office team for all their hard work during this pandemic and for serving on the front lines,” stated Sheriff Michael Van Dyke.
