ICE Employee Tests Positive For Coronavirus In Elizabeth

ELIZABETH, NJ — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employee at the Elizabeth Detention Center has tested positive for the new coronavirus, an ICE spokesperson confirmed Friday.

"A member of the medical administrative staff of ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) at the Elizabeth Detention Center, who was under self-quarantine, has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is currently receiving treatment," an ICE spokesperson said.

Currently, no ICE detainees or other staff are symptomatic for the coronavirus at this facility.

"Despite the personal risk to themselves, the dedicated professionals of ICE — including the medical professionals at IHSC — continue to carry out their duties to keep the public and our detainees safe during this unprecedented pandemic," an ICE spokesperson said.

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As a result of the news of the positive test Make The Road New Jersey has started a petition to release ICE detainees in the Garden State.

"We urge ICE and county officials that administer facilities where individuals are detained by ICE to immediately address the unique threat which COVID-19 represents for those detained in ICE custody and to release all individuals detained in New Jersey," Make the Road New Jersey stated in a release.

Murphy announced 318 new cases of the coronavirus Thursday, raising the state total to 742. The virus has killed nine in New Jersey as of Thursday afternoon. Read more: Gov. Phil Murphy: 4 More NJ Coronavirus Deaths, 318 New Cases

Union County had seven new cases and a total of 29 positive cases as of Thursday.

Murphy also ordered the closure of personal-care businesses by 8 p.m. Thursday. These include barber shops, salons, spas and tattoo parlors. (See Related: Gov. Phil Murphy: NJ Barbers, Salons, Spas Must Close)

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