On Friday, April 24, 2020, we learned that a Facilities Department employee who is assigned to the Linn County Correctional Center tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.The employee last worked during the evening shift on Tuesday, April 21st.The employee arrived to work fever-free, as verified through a process previously put in-place requiring the temperature to be taken of all persons entering the Correctional Center.
At a later time, the employee became symptomatic and a test for the COVID-19 virus was administered that came back with positive results.The Facilities Department employee has been advised to remain in self-isolation until IDPH guidelines for returning to work have been met.
A protocol previously put in place required all employees and visitors to wear a facemask while in the jail.We have confirmed through the jail’s video system that this employee complied with that protocol.However, out of an abundance of caution, the Linn County Public Health Department advised that an exposure could still have occurred with other staff members, regardless if both parties were wearing a facemask.
The jail administration is working cooperatively with and is assisting the Linn County Public Health Department with their contact tracing process to identify those jail employees who may have been inadvertently exposed to the virus.
Exposure means that an employee was within six feet for longer than two minutes with the person who has been confirmed as having the virus.Exposure does not mean that the other employees have contracted the virus.
By virtue of Facilities Department employee’s job duties, he/she would have had no contact with the inmates housed in the jail.