Morris County Corrections Officer Tests Coronavirus Positive

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - One officer at the Morris County Correctional Facility has tested positive for novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, resulting in self-isolation for the officer and special cleaning and ultraviolet light cleansing was done in section of the facility.

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Sheriff James M. Gannon also has reiterated tough standards for staff at the jail to monitor their health, with orders to stay at home if they feel ill.

“It is increasingly clear that law enforcement, which must have some personal contact with the public, is at a greater risk of contracting the virus," said Gannon. "The Morris County Sheriff’s Office will continue to do everything within its power to mitigate the spread of the virus and do all that is possible to keep staff and inmates safe in these unprecedented times."

On March 16 employees at the county jail were required to begin taking their own body temperatures prior to signing in to work, as a health precaution regarding the virus. On Friday one officer reported a slight fever, though it was lower than the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) guideline for maximum body temperature regarding COVID-19.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections Administration asked the employee to go home, self-quarantine and notify a physician. On the same day, this officer was tested for the COVID-19 virus.

Sunday the officer was declared positive for COVID-19 and the officer remains in self-quarantine.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officer, wishing for a speedy and full recovery," said Sheriff Gannon.

In response to the positive test, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group and the Morris County Office of Emergency Management performed an ultraviolet cleaning of various office areas at the Correctional Facility, to further enhance stringent cleaning procedures already in place.

• Also, the following steps are being taken at the correctional facility:
• All employees who may be ill have been asked not to report to work, to help avoid a transfer of the illness to staff and inmates;
• Staff has been reminded that use of antipyretic medications and over-the-counter cough, respiratory, or flu medications should not be used if an employee is not feeling well. These medications may mask symptoms of the virus and will not prevent spread of infection to others if an employee using such medications is infected with COVID-19.
• Staff has been asked to increase hand washing, observe respiratory etiquette, social distancing (where and when possible) in and outside of the facility, and minimizing contact with unclean hands to the face, eyes, mouth, and nose, which remain an important tool in preventing infection.
• Staff also has been asked to help with monitor colleagues and inmates for visible signs of respiratory ailments and report such observations.

"While we would all like to be with our families during this time of national crisis, the men and woman of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office continue to work and do their jobs in a professional manner," said Sheriff Gannon. Their efforts, dedication, and patience are greatly appreciated as we all work together through this difficult time."

Although inmates have access to medical services 24 hours a day, seven days per week, they also are being pre-screened for fever upon admission to the facility, and whenever they are moved within the jail, said Morris County Undersheriff Alan Robinson.

Additionally, temperature checks are conducted daily on all inmates in all new admission housing units. Should an inmate show signs such as a fever over 100.4, or shortness of breath, dry cough, and other signs of possible illness, they are medically evaluated and if a medical necessity exists, placed into isolation until a medical examination can take place.

Here's what else you should know:

• State health officials said they believe the virus is "community-spread" in New Jersey. "Community-spread indicates that the coronavirus is amongst us," Persichilli announced. Read more: Coronavirus May Be 'Community-Spread' In NJ
• Murphy issued a stay-at-home order, closing all non-essential business at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Read more: Gov. Murphy Announces NJ 'Stay-At-Home' Order Due To Coronavirus
• On Monday, March 16, Murphy announced that all schools would close on Tuesday, March 17. Read more: NJ Schools Will Close Due To Coronavirus Outbreak: Gov. Murphy
• Here are 10 resources for you and your family to utilize as you navigate through the outbreak: Unemployment, Tests, Food: 10 NJ Resources In Coronavirus Crisis
• Murphy issued an executive order on Thursday, March 19 to ensure voters can exercise their right to vote without risking their health and safety. Read more: Coronavirus Alters NJ Election Procedure, Moves Election Dates
• The first person in New Jersey to die of the coronavirus was reported on Tuesday, March 10. Read more: First NJ Coronavirus Death, 4 New Cases: Governor
• New Jersey's courts suspended all new jury trials until further notice, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said on Thursday, March 12. Read more: Coronavirus Throws Monkey Wrench Into New Jersey Court System
• State Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Saturday, March 14 that municipal court sessions will be suspended.
• The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said it's also closing temporarily. Read more: New Jersey MVC Shuts Down Because Of Coronavirus
###liNJ Hospitals Lack Beds For Coronavirus Surge: Report
• Four members of the same New Jersey family died from the coronavirus, according to March 19 reports. Read more: 4 In Same Family, Including 3 In NJ, Die Of Coronavirus: Reports
• The deadline for Americans to file federal taxes was moved from April 15 to July 15, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted on Friday, March 20. Read more: Federal Tax Day Postponed To July 15 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
###liCoronavirus Drive-Through Testing Sites To Open In 5 NJ Counties

How It Spreads

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
While the best way to prevent illness is to avoid virus exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention always recommends taking preventive actions to contain the spread of viruses.

This includes:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Residents who have questions about the virus can contact the State of New Jersey's hotline at 1 (800) 222-1222. The hotline is home of the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, and is staffed 24 hours a day by state health workers.

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