Jackson County Probation Department Employee Tested Positive for COVID-19

(March 17, 2020 5:09 PM) On Tuesday, March 17, the Michigan Department of Corrections was notified that an employee at the Jackson County Probation Office had tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The employee had a recent history of international travel.

This is the first MDOC employee who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Earlier today, the Jackson County Health Department reported Jackson County’s first presumptive positive case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). The positive case is a 60 year old female with travel history.  This individual will be closely monitored by the Jackson County Health Department.  This person will be asked to identify close contacts and other lower-risk contacts so they can be notified and receive further instruction regarding isolation and testing if needed. Jackson County is providing additional, public information to inform the community about possible, lower-risk exposures.

Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz confirmed the Probation Office employee is a female with travel history.

The MDOC has been in contact with the individual and the department is proactively working to determine any other employees and probationers that person was in contact with.

“We are glad to hear our employee is feeling better,” said MDOC Director Heidi Washington. “We continue to do all we can to protect the health of our staff, their families and the offenders they supervise.”

Once the positive test was confirmed today, the local health department ordered all Jackson County Probation Office staff to leave their work site and quarantine for the next 14 days.

Henry Ford Allegiance Health said the patient did not require hospitalization and is not being treated at Henry Ford Allegiance Health. 

The department is making arrangements for continued supervision of the probationers in the county, since the staff will be unable to perform those duties during the quarantine.

This afternoon, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released a list of positive cases reporting today, which included 1 from Jackson County.

“We will be closely monitoring all individuals with direct, personal contact with the identified cases, such as household contacts” says Rashmi Travis, MPH, Jackson County Health Officer. “In addition, we want our community to be fully aware of any possible, but lower-risk community exposures.”

As a precaution, Jackson County Health Department is asking anyone with the following symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days and avoid potentially exposing others.   Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you do have these symptoms with travel history or exposure to someone with travel history, call Henry Ford Allegiance Health My Health Care line at (313)874-7500 for screening and to schedule an appointment.  Anyone arriving at the testing location without an appointment will be turned away. 

“Please remember this is a time for us to support each other and work together to reduce any possible spread of illness in our community,” said Rashmi, Health Officer with Jackson County Health Department. “We understand this is a difficult time. We are working tirelessly to do all we can to protect the public’s health, and we ask for everyone’s continued cooperation and support.”

Please refer to official sources of reliable information about COVID-19. We continue to recommend prevention strategies to reduce the spread of germs and protect everyone’s health.

 There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is available in English, Chinese, and Spanish.

Prevention Steps include:

·         Clean your hands often. Scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if you cannot wash.

·         Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

·         Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider. Learn what to do if you are sick.

·         Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands.

·         Clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces. 

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. View additional prevention steps from CDC for people at higher risk. Consult with your health care provider for more steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. 

The situation with COVID-19 is not static and changes quickly. For the most recent information, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html,https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019,https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/