FRAMINGHAM – The Massachusetts Department of Corrections today, April 13, is reporting 5 new MCI-Framingham inmates over the weekend have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of inmates, who have tested positive, at 22.
On Friday evening, MCI-Framingham was reporting 17 inmates were positive.
Since Friday, there has been a 29% increase in positive cases within the inmate community at MCI-Framingham.
The Department is also reporting 5 Corrections employees and two medical providers to the facility also have tested positive for the coronavirus.
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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.
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MetroWest Medical Center