Essex County Sheriff Coppinger provides COVID-19 update

Credits aggressive testing with better treatment, prevention
Essex County Sheriff Coppinger provides COVID-19 update
MIDDLETON, Mass. – Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger announced that 42 out of 54 inmates testing positive for COVID-19 have recovered, and the 12 remaining cases are showing only mild symptoms.
 
“The Essex County Sheriff’s Department has been working around the clock to ensure we are keeping people safe and providing excellent treatment to those who have developed COVID-19. This is a battle which my team is fighting and fighting successfully,” Essex County Sheriff Kevin Coppinger said. “We have been aggressivelytesting people in our custody and that has led to better outcomes in terms of prevention and treatment. I thank my partners from Wellpath and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for their expertise, guidance and help as we continue this fight against this dangerous virus.”
 
To date, 116 inmates have been tested for coronavirus, with 64 testing negative. Coppinger said he knew aggressive testing would result in a higher number of cases, but also pointed to the number of those who have recovered as evidence of why testing is important.
 
“This testing is a tremendous tool we use to keep our staff and incarcerated population safe. As soon as an inmate tests positive, we are able to adjust our workings to reduce exposure to others,” Coppinger said. “We knew that aggressive testing would result in more cases, but we also knew it would allow us to provide better care for those affected. The safety of all in our facilities is my top priority.”
 
Other precautions taken at the facility include:
 
  • The incarcerated population remains under lockdown to limit movement and mitigate exposure.
  • All facilities have undergone a deep cleaning and these cleaning efforts continue around the clock.
  • Hand-sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the facilities, and every inmate regularly receives soap and instructions on hand-washing and personal hygiene techniques.
  • Protective masks are being worn by all staff and inmates.
  • Every staff member entering the facility undergoes a health screening process including having their temperature taken.
  • All new inmates undergo a health screening process and are put into the “New Man Unit” which we created so that inmates are isolated and monitored for symptoms for 14 days before being put into the general population.
  • Our facilities have been closed to the public since March 14, 2020 and all attorney visits are no-contact visits.
  • A hotline has been established for inmate families and attorneys to get information on those incarcerated. Information is available at the department’s website www.essexsheriffma.org.

Dr. Alysse Wurcel, an infectious disease expert with Tufts Medical Center, has been working with ECSD for three years and has played a key role in the department’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies. 

“The corrections staff, led by Sheriff Coppinger, and the medical team led by Dr. Laura Quimby and Nurse Brianna Molloy, have been working tirelessly to provide care to people who have COVID, and implement preventative strategies to protect both people incarcerated in the jail and people working in the jail,” Dr. Wurcel said. “Fortunately, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center offered testing to the people in jail, and it is through this connection that we are able to find these cases.”

Coppinger commended his staff for their work in the fight against COVID-19 and applauded the cooperation of inmates during these trying times.
 
“We’ve received thank-yous from both inmates and their families for how our staff has handled this difficult situation. They appreciate our efforts to keep everyone at Essex County Sheriff facilities safe and healthy,” Coppinger said. “The employees of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department are committed to the safety of all and have shown great bravery during this pandemic. I thank them for their commitment and their dedication.”
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