On Aug. 10, 2021, the Juvenile Services Division was notified that a second youth in the juvenile detention facility tested positive for COVID-19. This youth is housed in the unit that was placed in quarantine last weekend. Corrections Health will continue to administer serial testing for youth in the quarantined unit.
Following the notifications, in coordination with Public Health and Corrections Health, staff immediately acted by implementing pre-planned infectious disease protocols. These actions include:
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Quarantining impacted youth and staff.
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Restricting movement between units within the facility and limiting access to the impacted units to only essential detention and medical personnel.
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Testing of all youth in the specific unit where potential exposure was identified.
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Working closely with Multnomah County’s Public Health Officer and Communicable Disease response specialist to review case history, information, and protective actions. This includes contact tracing to assess personnel movement involving the individual during the 48 hours leading up to the positive notification.
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Meeting with health partners to review and analyze potential exposure and coordinate next steps.
The Juvenile Services Division is working side-by-side with public health COVID-19 experts, the Multnomah County Health Officer and Corrections Health as they monitor impacted youth. Corrections Health will conduct serial testing of youth who are quarantined. Staff continue to follow mask, distance and disinfection protocols and youth in custody are routinely offered vaccines for COVID-19.
“We continue to take all recommended measures to best protect the health and safety of youth housed in our facility, our staff members and the community,” said Department Director Erika Preuitt.
Visitors to all Multnomah County facilities are reminded that masks are required.
For more information on COVID-19, including symptoms of which you may want to be aware, please visit the County’s COVID-19 website, which has practical advice and information on testing and other guidance, or the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 website or the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 website.