Second Centre County Correctional Facility inmate tests positive for COVID-19
A second Centre County Correctional Facility inmate tested positive for the new coronavirus, the jail’s warden announced Thursday in a press release.
The inmate, a Centre County resident, has been in isolation since exhibiting symptoms and does not need to be hospitalized as of Thursday, Warden Christopher Schell said.
A “small number” of staff and fellow inmates who may have had contact with the inmate are quarantined while contact tracing and additional tests are being conducted, Schell said.
The jail announced its first positive test Sunday.
“All measures to protect the health and safety of our staff and incarcerated individuals continue with additional efforts to mitigate the spread of this virus within our facility,” Schell said.
More than 40 inmates have been released from the Benner Township facility since March 16, Commissioner Mike Pipe said last week.
More may be released as jail staff and county officials identify vulnerable populations who do not pose a safety risk if released.
The jail implemented several measures in March to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including increased disinfection sweeps and a suspension of all visits to the jail.
No inmates at either Rockview or Benner state prison have tested positive for COVID-19, though one Rockview employee reported they tested positive, according to the state Department of Corrections.