FRAMINGHAM – The Massachusetts Department of Corrections is reporting four cases of COVID-19 of female inmates, as of today, April 7.
This is in addition to the two Department of Corrections employees and one medical staffer who tested positive earlier.
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On Friday evening, April 3, the Massachusetts Department of Correction began to restrict movement within all facilities to allow greater social distancing within all facilities.
Corrections staff at all facilities have been instructed to utilize personal protective equipment if they will be within 6 feet of another individual or in an area with inmates who have tested positive for the virus, said a spokesperson.
Inmates will receive meals and medication in their units and have opportunities to shower, clean their rooms, and use the telephone. Laundry, mail, and other required services will not be interrupted, said a press release from the department.
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Elevated protocols are already in place at all 16 DOC facilities: alcohol-based hand sanitizer has been distributed and is available to all inmates and staff at all facilities, high-touch areas are frequently sanitized, and access to soap and running water remain fully accessible to all inmates and personnel. Screening areas have been implemented at DOC facilities, where all persons seeking to enter have their temperatures taken and are surveyed for risk factors. Staff, vendors, and others have been instructed not to enter if they feel ill or meet other criteria, said a press release.
DOC leadership and our contracted medical provider, Wellpath, are focused on reducing, to the greatest degree possible, the potential impact of this virus on our approximately 8,000 inmates.
MetroWest Medical Center