Middlesex Sheriff’s Offices Announces 5 Positive COVID Cases

In full transparency, the following is a press release.

***

[broadstreet zone=”58892″]

BILLERICA – As a result of established testing protocols, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office today, August 19 announced it had conducted 51 COVID-19 tests over the past two days, with 46 results returning negative and five results returning positive. 

Individuals who tested positive all resided in one housing unit.

In accordance with Middlesex Sheriff’s Office safety protocols, all those who tested positive have been moved to the facility’s Health Services Unit (HSU) and will remain under close observation.  The unit in which the individuals resided has been placed on a modified movement schedule, with additional testing planned.

[broadstreet zone=”59982″]

Prior to these results, just three of more than 360 incarcerated individuals tested had tested positive since June 1, the MSO announced last week. 

All three of those were individuals who just entered custody and were identified as a result of the MSO’s seven day testing protocol for new arrivals.

In addition to comprehensive testing protocols:

• A total of 313 incarcerated individuals have received the first dose and 233 the second dose of the Moderna vaccine, while 92 received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine since the MSO began administering the vaccine in January.  Over this timeframe, 404 individuals indicated they were vaccinated prior to booking.
• Administered 441 first shots and 429 second shots of the Moderna vaccine to staff since January, as well as eight doses of Johnson & Johnson.
• In May, the MSO became the first county correctional facility in the nation to partner with Cambridge-based Biobot Analytics to monitor and identify the presence of COVID-19 in the wastewater.

[broadstreet zone=”59984″]

These measures are in addition to steps previously implemented at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction including:

• Working with an outside infectious diseases physician.
• Quarantining all new admittances to the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction and testing them on their seventh day in custody.
• Offering free, voluntary testing for MSO staff members.
• Enhanced cleaning in the facility.
• Mask requirement for staff and incarcerated individuals.
• [broadstreet zone=”61072″]