Public Health response to the Bordelais Correctional Facility COVID-19 cases

On Monday January 25, 2021, the Ministry of Health received notification that a correctional officer at the Bordelais Correctional Facility was diagnosed with COVID-19. The officer having accessed care was tested and placed in quarantine whilst awaiting test results. On Tuesday January 26, 2021 Public Health Officials of the Ministry of Health and Wellness conducted an assessment of the situation at the correctional institution, where the close contacts of the confirmed case were identified and tested for COVID-19. A total of 35 individuals were tested which included 24 inmates and 11 correctional staff. They were all placed in quarantine while awaiting test results as required by the national COVID-19 testing protocol. Amongst the 35 individuals tested, 8 inmates and 1 staff have since been confirmed as positive for COVID-19.

In response to recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the following actions have been taken in the interest of containing the spread and protecting the health of staff and inmates at the facility:

1. Complete Isolation of confirmed inmates away from the general population

2. Quarantine and testing of close contacts of the confirmed cases. On Saturday January 30, 2021 samples were taken from a total of 86 individuals; 79 inmates and 7 custodial staff. The Ezra Long Laboratory is currently processing these samples.

3. Enforcement of strict infection prevention and control measures to decrease the rate of transmission of the infection
3.1. Isolation of any symptomatic inmates
3.2. Placing of exposed inmates into a limited number of areas whilst establishing effective barrier controls between them.
3.3. Protective measures for inmates who fall into high risk categories
3.4. Use of adequate personal protective equipment by heath care staff and custodial staff who will be caring and working with the quarantined and isolated individuals.
3.5. Limitations of the movement and interaction of custodial staff overseeing areas with inmates
3.6. Strict Adherence to hand hygiene measures
3.7. Continued use of face masks by staff and inmates
3.8. Frequent cleaning of high touch objects and surfaces
3.9. Testing and quarantine of all symptomatic custodial staff

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation at the Bordelais Correctional Facillity and provide the necessary support for successful resolution the outbreak.

For more information please contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer or the Epidemiology Unit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively