Nearly 20 employees with the Tennessee Department of Correction have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to a news release from the department.
TDOC reported that 19 people tested positive for COVID-19, with 13 of those being TDOC staff and six being contract employees. A total of 1,145 employees were tested, with 1,126 employees testing negative, the release said. Testing was conducted on Friday, April 10, at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville and the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Military.
The employees who tested positive and were asymptomatic at the time of testing were notified of the results and referred to their primary care provider, the release said. The employees were also advised to seek testing for any close contacts in their homes and to self-isolate for 14 days.
TDOC said there is currently one COVID-19 positive inmate at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center and two COVID-19 positive inmates at the Turney Center Industrial Complex.
TDOC is currently conducting contact tracing at both facilities, the release said.
Disinfection and safety measures are ongoing. All staff and inmates have received cloth masks, and they are being reminded to continue practicing the recommendations from the CDC and the TDH to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The TDOC encourages members of the public to visit its website for frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.