Multnomah County’s Juvenile Services Division (JSD) continues to receive notification of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. On January 7, 2022, the division was notified of two employees (the 11th and 12th since mid-December) and one individual who was present at the Juvenile Detention Center who tested positive for COVID-19.
It has been determined that there was no workplace exposure with one of the employees or with the individual who was present at JSD. However, there were exposures identified by the second employee. In coordination with Public Health, the Juvenile Services Division implemented pre-planned infectious disease protocols. These actions include:
- Quarantining impacted youth and notifying their parents/guardians.
- Restricting movement and limiting access to only essential program personnel.
- Offering testing of all youth in the program where potential exposure was identified.
- Working closely with Multnomah County’s Public Health Officer and Infectious Disease Control specialist to review case history, information, and protective actions.
- Meeting with health partners to review and analyze potential exposure and coordinate next steps.
All individuals who meet the exposure criteria are being notified.
The latest notifications follow yet another case where an individual — who was present in the Juvenile Justice Complex on January 3, 4 and 5 — tested positive for COVID-19. It has been determined that there was no workplace exposure in this case either. But this brings the total number of positive COVID cases at the Juvenile Services Division to 14 since mid-December.
The division continues to work side-by-side with Public Health Infectious Disease Control experts and Multnomah County’s Health Officer to take all recommended measures to best protect the health and safety of staff, youth, families and the community. This includes following guidelines set by the CDC, the state and local health partners to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, including staying home if you are sick and continuing to properly wear masks.
Get a vaccine. Get Boosted.
Surges in COVID-19 cases and new variants are being experienced locally and nationwide. Public Health Officials are emphasizing the importance of minimizing transmission and taking actions that work: get boosted, get vaccinated, stay home if exposed or sick, and upgrade your face covering to a higher quality mask. Vaccination remains the single most effective tool at preventing serious disease, which is why Multnomah County, acting as the Local Public Health Authority, is reallocating staff and other resources away from case investigations and contact tracing to increase vaccination and boosters among those who are at highest risk of severe illness.
What you can do
Get boosted. People 16 and older who got a full series over six months ago (or over two months for J&J), should get their booster now. Don’t wait. If you are older, have an underlying health condition. This is especially important to avoid severe illness.
Get vaccinated. If you haven’t yet, get your first dose now. Even one dose starts to reduce your risk of severe illness and death, at least for a few weeks. The second and booster doses add much more protection.
Stay home if sick or exposed. If you have symptoms — even if you are vaccinated and especially if you can’t get a test — we are asking you to stay home and isolate to prevent potentially spreading it to others. If you have been a close contact and can’t get a test, quarantine yourself for five days from the date of exposure, and then wear a mask for the next 5 days when you are out in the world.
Wear a quality mask. Wear a well-fitting mask indoors, outdoors in crowded spaces, and when you are around people who are at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. People should wear the highest-quality mask that they can get that is comfortable to wear.
For more information on COVID-19, including symptoms, visit the County’s COVID-19 website, which has practical advice and information on testing and other guidance and the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 website or the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 websites.
Find Vaccination Clinics:
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Multnomah County’s Let’s Get Vaccinated Webpage
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Washington County’s COVID-19 vaccine page
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Clackamas County’s Covid vaccine page