6 Bristol County Sheriff’s staff members, 8 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 over last week

DARTMOUTH – Six Bristol County Sheriff’s Office staff members and eight inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last week.

According to a BCSO spokesperson, the inmates are being housed in medical isolation, where they are being monitored continuously by health care professionals. The medical team is also monitoring inmates in their former housing unit.

There is a total of nine county inmates in Bristol County custody to test positive for COVID. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported last week one positive test among ICE detainees in Bristol. That individual is also in medical isolation and being monitored.

The spokesperson stated that six staff members are 3 corrections officers, a communications dispatcher, a nurse and a classification counselor. One officer, the nurse and the dispatcher were last at the facility on May 6 and received notification of positive tests over the weekend. The counselor and another officer were last on duty Friday, and another officer was last on duty Sunday. They received notification of a positive test today.

In total, seven Bristol County Sheriff’s Office staff members have recovered from COVID and have returned to duty. Eleven others, including the three remain away from the facility recovering. All have reported feeling well and are expected back soon, according to the BCSO.

“The COVID pandemic has taken a toll on our country,” Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said. “In the middle of this national epidemic, essential workers like those in corrections, law enforcement, and health care have joined others at grocery stores, gas stations and other places in reporting to work to keep our country going. They deserve an enormous amount of credit.”

Over the past few months, the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office has instituted protocols to protect inmates, detainees and staff from the Coronavirus outbreak. Some of those measures include:

· All employees were given masks that must be worn inside the secure perimeter of our facilities. All inmates and detainees have also been given masks to wear for protection.

· All areas of the facility are being cleaned\disinfected every day on every shift.

· All staff members are being screened before entering the buildings; new arriving inmates are being screened before being accepted into custody.

· In-person visitation has been suspended to limit the number of people coming in and out.