LASD CUSTODY OPERATIONS WORKING WITH DPH AND CHS TO PREPARE FOR 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
As 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the world and new cases are being reported throughout the United States, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Custody Services Division (LASD) has been working diligently with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services – Correctional Health Services (CHS) and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) to prepare.
Although we do not currently have any inmates in our custody who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, LASD and CHS continue to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to assess and monitor inmates in our custody, as well as newly arriving inmates, for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and will arrange for quarantine as necessary.
If an inmate meets the criteria of a suspected coronavirus patient, the inmate will be placed in isolation and staff will follow proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines. A surgical mask will be placed on the inmate patient who will be isolated in separate housing, away from general population housing. If that inmate is confirmed to have COVID-19, they will be re-housed in the medical ward of the jail. Proper PPE procedures for Department members and staff include safety eye goggles, an N-95 mask, disposable gloves, and a disposable gown.
Currently, Inmates who are scheduled to be released from custody will not be impacted; however, if the county jail system begins to see cases of COVID-19 within its housing locations, those housed in quarantined areas will go through a release protocol monitored by the Department of Public Health. The Department of Public Health will additionally monitor them after their release from custody.
The Department is working with the Superior Court of California-County of Los Angeles on a plan to minimize the impact on court proceedings for those who are quarantined if such need occurs. Inmates will still have access to contact their attorneys.
Monitoring and potential quarantine procedures will remain in place until CHS and DPH officials determine it is safe to return to normal operations.
To identify if your loved one is housed in a quarantined area, please visit the www.lasd.org and schedule a visit with your loved one. If a pop-up message is displayed that your loved one is in an affected area, he/she is under observation (quarantine) until further notice.
—— Information about COVID-19 ——
According to the Department of Public Health, COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets produced through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact with an infected person, and on rare occasions from infected objects or surfaces.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/#
