York County officials launch inquiry into COVID-19 outbreak at jail
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Yeah, Alison, the question that I asked was one that the government official called the Million Dollar Question, which is that there were protocols here in place at the facility for both inmates and corrections officers to wear face coverings. But the question is, did they wear them before this outbreak? Now, in terms of a timeline, this is a story that we have been following. When that first corrections officer tested positive back on August 19th, the main CDC says they were likely the first person to become sick here at the jail and to give you an update on the case counts. This morning we got one. Just a few moments ago at this press update, there have been 46 inmates who have tested positive. 18 of those are staff. 16 of the 18 or corrections officers to administrators were told that roughly there are 106 to 107 inmates here again, they say that this investigation will be a new, independent third party. They say they’re working with their counsel to determine who that is at this time, in terms of who is sick and how sick are they at this moment, we’re told that two corrections officers do have what they’re calling mild flu like symptoms. As for inmates were told, those who have tested positive are in single cells and have been in grouped into cohorts. For those who have tested positive versus those who have not, we’re told that a few inmates have scratchy throats and some digestive issues associated with the virus in terms of staffing levels. This your county government officials said that a shortage of corrections officers is something that has been prevalent in this region for a bit, and that currently those in the corrections officers are working overtime. When we spoke with Sheriff Phil King last week, he told us that some of these officers are now putting in 72 hour work weeks because of those who are having to be home and quarantining. And so this is obviously something that is ongoing. It is just starting to the point that they haven’t even named that third party investigator. Something to note. Sheriff King was not on the call today, but again, they’re really going to be focusing on whether the protocols that were mandated for folks toe wear face coverings inside of the jail were actually followed prior to this outbreak. Reporting live from the York County Jail, I’m Mary Kate Mannion for Wnt. W news eight.
York County officials launch inquiry into COVID-19 outbreak at jail
York County officials announced Thursday that they are launching a “comprehensive” inquiry into the large COVID-19 outbreak at the jail.County Manager Gregory Zinser announced the independent inquiry during a news conference Thursday morning.”We don’t entirely know what led to the current situation, so we owe it to everyone involved to really understand the facts and the situation that may have led to a decision one way or another. That is the million dollar question, we know it is. We intend to get to the bottom of that,” Zinser said.Zinser said as of Thursday morning there were 82 cases of the virus involving the jail. Of the 82 cases, 46 involve inmates, 18 involve people who work at the jail and 17 involve close contacts of the affected jail workers. There is also one case involving a vendor at the jail.Zinser said he believed there were roughly 106 inmates at the jail as of Thursday. The infected inmates are being quarantined in a separate unit at the facility in separate cells.The outbreak is linked to an outbreak associated with a wedding in the Millinocket area on Aug. 7. A staff member at the jail attended the wedding, officials said.Zinser officials became aware of the spread of the virus at the jail on Aug. 19. Zinser said since that date the jail has been following all Maine CDC and Maine Department of Corrections guidelines, including the wearing of face coverings.Zinser said the inquiry will look into how the virus spread and whether any safety protocols set by the county were not followed.Zinser said the county’s protocols called for face coverings to worn at the jail.He said appropriate action will be taken to resolve any issues that led to any deviation from the protocols.Zinser said a third round of testing at the jail is underway. Testing on inmates was conducted on Tuesday and testing of employees will finish on Thursday.
ALFRED, Maine —
York County officials announced Thursday that they are launching a “comprehensive” inquiry into the large COVID-19 outbreak at the jail.
County Manager Gregory Zinser announced the independent inquiry during a news conference Thursday morning.
“We don’t entirely know what led to the current situation, so we owe it to everyone involved to really understand the facts and the situation that may have led to a decision one way or another. That is the million dollar question, we know it is. We intend to get to the bottom of that,” Zinser said.
Zinser said as of Thursday morning there were 82 cases of the virus involving the jail.
Of the 82 cases, 46 involve inmates, 18 involve people who work at the jail and 17 involve close contacts of the affected jail workers. There is also one case involving a vendor at the jail.
Zinser said he believed there were roughly 106 inmates at the jail as of Thursday. The infected inmates are being quarantined in a separate unit at the facility in separate cells.
The outbreak is linked to an outbreak associated with a wedding in the Millinocket area on Aug. 7. A staff member at the jail attended the wedding, officials said.
Zinser officials became aware of the spread of the virus at the jail on Aug. 19. Zinser said since that date the jail has been following all Maine CDC and Maine Department of Corrections guidelines, including the wearing of face coverings.
Zinser said the inquiry will look into how the virus spread and whether any safety protocols set by the county were not followed.
Zinser said the county’s protocols called for face coverings to worn at the jail.
He said appropriate action will be taken to resolve any issues that led to any deviation from the protocols.
Zinser said a third round of testing at the jail is underway. Testing on inmates was conducted on Tuesday and testing of employees will finish on Thursday.
