TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Florida Department of Corrections released a report on Friday announcing seven corrections employees in seven different institutions have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
- Century Correctional Institution, Escambia County, Florida
- Everglades Correctional Institution, Miami-Dade County, Florida
- Marion Correctional Institution, Marion County, Florida
- Zephyr Hills Correctional Institution, Pasco County, Florida
- Community Corrections, Region three
- Community Corrections, Region four
FDOC said if a staff member presents with any symptoms of illness, they have been instructed not to report to work and contact their health care provider. The staff member will not be permitted to return to work until they have been cleared by a medical professional.
In order to protect the personal health information of these individuals, FDC will not identify the name or occupation of the employees at these facilities.
The employees references may be employed by FDC or one of its contractors.
Any employee who is symptomatic, or who has tested positive for COVID-19, will not be allowed entry to a correctional institution. The employee will not be allowed to return to work until a full recovery is documented by a medical professional and DOH and CDC guidelines are followed.
The county health department provides guidance to determine which inmates are tested for COVID-19. If an inmate begins experiencing symptoms indicative of COVID-19, FDC will immediately engage with the county health department and the inmate will be placed in medical isolation, pending DOH testing.
The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), in conjunction with Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), are closely monitoring developments associated with COVID-19. FDC is prepared to handle any potential cases of COVID-19 within the state-operated correctional institutions in Florida.
