MCI is on COVID-19 FIRE

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737

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MCI Fire

Please note: Inmates move in and out of security quarantine, medical quarantine and medical isolation on a continual basis, based on direction from FDC health services staff. These statistics are updated daily and are a snapshot of the situation at the time information was reported. Changes in these statistics that occur later the same day will be reflected in the next update.

Security Quarantine column refers to the number of inmates who have been separated because they have been recently transferred to the correctional facility. These inmates are asymptomatic and entering the facility from outside court, a community/work release center, county jail, etc. Security quarantine is a precautionary measure. Medical staff monitor these inmates to ensure no inmates show symptoms of illness. At the conclusion of security quarantine, inmates are moved to the general population.

Medical Quarantine column refers to the number of inmates who have been separated because they may have had close contact with a person who has tested positive or exhibited symptoms of an infectious illness, to determine whether they develop symptoms. All inmates in medical quarantine are monitored by health services staff and receive temperature checks twice a day for signs of fever. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will place the inmate in medical isolation and a COVID-19 test will be administered.

Medical Isolation column refers to the number of inmates who have been separated because they are suspected or presenting symptoms of an infectious illness. To prevent contact with others and reduce the risk of transmission, these inmates are placed in medical isolation and are tested for COVID-19.

Pending column refers to the number of COVID-19 tests that have been administered to inmates and are waiting for results.

Negative column refers to the number of COVID-19 tests that have been administered and have returned with a negative result. Inmates who have tested negative for COVID-19are placed in an appropriate housing status based on their care and custody requirements.

Positive column refers to the number of individual inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19. These inmates are placed in medical isolation under the care of their treating clinician. Inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 receive the appropriate level of care based on their individual treatment needs. This column may include inmates who are being treated by an outside medical provider. Inmates who have tested positive will remain in medical isolation until they are recovered. Once recovered, these inmates will be moved into appropriate housing based on their care and custody requirements.

FDC has 145 facilities statewide, including 50 correctional institutions, seven private partner facilities, 17 annexes, 34 work camps, three re-entry centers, 12 FDC-operated work release centers, 18 private work release centers, two road prisons, one forestry camp and one basic training camp.

Information on Testing

FDC’s testing priorities closely align with recommendations from the CDC and current treatment protocols established by the Florida Department of Health.

If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19 they will be placed in medical isolation. All inmates in medical isolation are tested for COVID-19 and are monitored by health services staff.

FDC has also conducted institution-wide testing when it is indicated by a positive inmate, in line with evolving CDC guidance. FDC has offered voluntary COVID-19 testing to all inmates and staff members at:

  • Apalachee CI
  • Avon Park CI
  • Dade CI
  • Everglades CI
  • Hamilton CI
  • Holmes CI
  • Homestead CI
  • Lancaster CI
  • Liberty CI
  • Madison CI
  • Okaloosa CI
  • Polk CI
  • Union CI
  • South Florida Reception Center

Sample testing of asymptomatic inmates in medical quarantine who are elderly, have a compromised immune system and/or preexisting medical condition are being conducted.

Information on Inmate COVID-19 Deaths

Updated:
7/15/20 12:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Related
Inmate Deaths
29

As the health care provider for inmates, FDC cannot release information that could lead to the identity of the inmate or disclose the inmate’s protected health information.

The Florida Department of Health reports the locations of individuals who have died in a facility. For more information visit: https://floridahealthcovid19.gov.

FDC is releasing information on deaths of inmates who tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of the cause of death. The Florida Department of Health defines a COVID-19 related death as a person who has died following a positive COVID-19 test. FDC is not releasing information that would lead to the identification of individuals due to privacy concerns. Because of the current availability of records, additional identifying information regarding COVID-19 related deaths is prohibited from release.

The district Medical Examiner is responsible for determining the cause of death for any person who dies in a prison, and that determination is releasable by the Medical Examiner.

Information Regarding Correctional Institution Staff

In order to protect the personal health information of these individuals, FDC will not identify the name or occupation of the employees at these facilities. Staff may be employed by FDC or one of its contractors. Any employee who is symptomatic, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, will not be allowed entry to a correctional institution. The employee will not be allowed to return to work until a full recovery is documented by a medical professional and DOH and CDC guidelines are followed. Additional questions regarding these individuals (gender, age, travel status) should be directed to the Florida Department of Health.

Information on Offenders on Probation

Offenders living in the community will not be included in this reporting. If an offender on community supervision tests positive for COVID-19, they will work directly with their probation officer on reporting requirements. See the steps FDC Community Corrections is taking to keep offenders and staff safe here.

FDC Response to Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Cases

FDC’s Office of Health Services, institutional medical staff and institutional operations staff work hand-in-hand with the Florida Department of Health to quickly engage and resolve infectious disease outbreaks as soon as they occur. FDC’s primary goal is ensuring the health, safety and security of FDC staff and the inmates in our care and custody.

  • If an inmate presents to medical staff with symptoms indicative of COVID-19, medical staff will place the inmate in medical isolation will be administered a COVID-19 test.
  • Medical co-pays for inmates who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are being waived. Inmates are never denied medical treatment for the inability to pay a co-pay.
  • With every positive case of COVID-19, a trace-back contact investigation is conducted to determine if additional staff or inmates need to be tested due to close contact risk factors. This investigation will also determine the need to place inmates in medical quarantine.
  • Staff members who test positive for COVID-19 will not return to work until a full recovery is documented by a medical professional and Florida DOH and CDC guidelines are followed.
  • Inmates will be separated from general population until they have been medically cleared by an onsite medical professional.
  • While inmates are in medical quarantine or medical isolation, they still have access to restrooms, showers and medical care. Meals are provided to the inmates within their housing units.

FDC COVID-19 Action Items

  • FDC has dedicated staff members trained in the prevention and containment of infectious diseases and has initiated its Incident Command System in response to COVID-19.
  • FDC’s Office of Health Services coordinates with the Florida Department of Health for guidance on any type of outbreak and is closely monitoring new information as it is disseminated from Florida DOH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • FDC Community Corrections officers are working with offenders on supervision to adjust reporting schedules to minimize congregating at probation offices and prevent the spread of COVID-19. See the steps FDC Community Corrections is taking to keep offenders and staff safe here.
  • Community Corrections transitioned to a broader operational footing and resumed in-person reporting for high risk offenders. Probation Officers perform mission critical activities in the office setting in addition to the field monitoring and supervision activities; safety of staff and offenders remain paramount.
  • Following the State of Emergency issued in response to COVID-19 in Florida, FDC suspended visitation at all correctional institutions statewide. See press release.
  • FDC has partnered with vendors to provide some complimentary phone and video visitation services. See press release.
  • Anyone entering a correctional institution is screened in accordance with Federal, State and Department guidelines.
  • In order to comply with social distancing guidelines, as recommended by the CDC, program services have been temporarily adjusted, to include academic education, career and technical education, substance use treatment and limited chaplaincy services.
  • Inmate dining has been adjusted to stagger seating and meal times to maximize social distancing.
  • Medical co-pays for inmates who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are being waived. Inmates are never denied medical treatment for the inability to pay a co-pay.
  • All non-critical inmate transfers have been suspended.
  • New inmate commitments from county jails go through additional screening and 14-day security quarantine before placement within general population. More information here.
  • All Community Release Centers have suspended furloughs for inmates, in order to limit the inmate population’s exposure to the public.
  • Education has been provided to staff and inmates to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Precautions are in place at facilities to protect inmates and staff from exposure to COVID-19; preventative measures are being followed per CDC recommendations.

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