Rise in prison COVID-19 cases leads to visitation restrictions, first time since January
The Delaware Department of Correction is limiting in-person visits to one adult at a time in all of its Level V and Level IV work release and violation of probation prisons in response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases.
Visitors will also be offered masks upon arrival, but wearing them will not be required.
DOC spokesman Jason Miller said these are "proactive steps" to limit COVID-19 transmission in the prisons. After months of low transmission reported, 30 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday.
Nineteen of these cases – including the only two symptomatic infections – were reported at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown.
COVID-19 transmission among prison staff has also risen in recent days. According to the latest data, 18 DOC employees and two contracted staff tested positive for COVID-19. Most of these cases are detected by testing and quarantine of new arrivals, and current inmates showing symptoms, followed by contact tracing.
MORE ON PRISONS: Mark Purnell, who spent 16 years in prison due to unjust trial, suddenly released
While still nowhere near the transmission rates early in the pandemic, DOC Commissioner Monroe B. Hudson Jr. said in a statement that he decided to take these new measures to "further reduce the risk of transmission.”
The last time in-person visitation was limited or suspended was Jan. 1 at the peak of the omicron surge. Hudson's statement then was nearly identical to the one released Thursday.
JANUARY SURGE: As COVID-19 cases surge, Delaware's prison staff have higher infection rate than prisoners
Currently, 59% of people in Delaware prisons have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and masks are required in medical areas and quarantine units. Prison staff are not required to report their vaccination status.
Miller said the DOC will reevaluate the one-person visitation limit in two weeks and plan to lift the measure "as soon as it is safe to do so."
OTHER COVID-19 NEWS: Delaware is reporting rising COVID cases, hospitalizations again. What that means for you
In the meantime, Miller said family and friends can visit with loved ones over the phone and using video chat. He also said the DOC is working to expand these video visits to Level IV facilities this year.
Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: COVID-19 spike in Delaware prisons lead to new restrictions: DOC
