Arlington Sheriff's Deputy Tests Positive For Coronavirus

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) is taking a number of steps to protect the public and inmates in its custody following the news that one of its members had tested positive for COVID-19, the illness associated with the new coronavirus.

ACSO shared the information about the positive test Thursday in a press release, in which the department reported the individual is managing the illness at home.

Public Health officials have begun contact tracing to determine with whom the individual had come in contact, including inmates and members of the community, so that steps could be taken to mitigate the spread of the illness. ASCO and Public Health officials will contact individuals they determine may have been exposed.

Acting on guidance from the Virginia Department of Health, ASCO has implemented the following protocols, taken verbatim from the press release, to protect the public and individuals in ASCO's custody:

• Daily temperature checks and symptom screenings of all staff that enter the Detention Center and Courthouse
• Daily temperatures and symptom screenings of all individuals in our custody.
• Initial medical screening of arrestees.
• Daily cleaning, in addition to the regularly scheduled cleanings, of areas in the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF) and Courthouse with the Electro Static Sprayer.
• Redesign of Intake Units
  • Created new procedures for the Intake Housing for all inmates entering the facility. Due to our inmate population being low, it has given us flexibility to ensure inmates coming into custody are housed separate from general population for 14 days to ensure no possible COVID symptoms.
• Suspension of staff roll calls to adhere to social distancing guidelines by the CDC.
• Staff that are able to telework, are being given the opportunity to do so.
• Staff are provided personal protective equipment to wear when social distancing is not possible, to include masks, gloves, googles, and gowns as appropriate.
• All individuals in custody have been provided cloth face coverings to wear when they are out of their cells.
• Meals are served in disposable trays.
• Inmate movement throughout the facility is minimized.
• In-person visitationas been cancelled however inmates have been given two free phone calls a week.
• Working on video visitation opportunities using iPads.
• Programs have been cancelled.
  • Inmate Service Counselors are providing classes and activities.
• Sheriff’s Office and the Courts have been working together to modify procedures in order to lessen the interaction between individuals, maintain social distancing guidelines, and to follow the stay at home orders issued in Maryland, DC and Virginia.
• Release of inmates
  • The ACDF is currently at its lowest inmate population.
  • Prior to being released the Inmate will be screened, to include having their temperature taken.
    • If they show any signs or symptoms, the Medical Nurse will be notified.
    • They will screen the inmate and if they determine they may have signs or symptoms of the COVID-19 virus they will contact our Medical Doctor.
    • The Doctor will make notification to the Virginia Hospital Center and Virginia Department of Health to determine whether the individual is able to be released or should be taken to the hospital.

The steps the Sheriff’s Office has taken are continually reviewed by the Command Staff, which follows recommendations by the Virginia Department of Health. These steps have and will continue to be modified regularly in order to best combat COVID-19. The Arlington County Sheriff’s Office takes the health and welfare of staff, the public and those placed into custody in the highest regard, treating every individual with dignity and respect and taking great pride and care in all work.

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