This memorandum shall supersede and replace the Jan. 24, 2022 memoranda “COVID-19 Quarantine, Isolation, and Inmate Critical Worker Exposure Testing to Work Updates, and all previous direction.
The purpose of this memorandum is to announce the following changes:
- A change in medical rounding requirements for patients who are in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure
- An expansion of the test-to-program option for patients who are in non movement-related quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure
Medical rounding during COVID-19 quarantine (revised process)
Patients 60 years of age and older have the highest risk for COVID-related hospitalization and mortality. Effective immediately, COVID screening quarantine rounds are no longer required for those who are less than 60 years old.
Test-to-Program for residents who are in COVID quarantine (revised process)
Asymptomatic patients in exposure-related COVID-19 quarantine will be eligible to program, if:
- They have no COVID related symptoms
- They consent to POC COVID testing on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of the quarantine period
- Each POC COVID test is negative
- They consistently wear at least a procedure mask while out of their housing cell
The test-to-program option shall not apply to residents who are in movement-related quarantine. Asymptomatic residents who test negative for COVID shall, while masked, be eligible for all routine programing including but not limited to work, school, in-person visiting, religious services, library, canteen, yard and health care appointments including mental health groups and ISUDT programing. Test to program does not apply to overnight family visiting.
Full implementation of the Test-to-Program initiative is dependent upon staff resources to complete the testing as determined by the Warden and CEO.
Residents who are asymptomatic and refuse testing shall receive S time until which time they are cleared from quarantine status or elect to comply with the COVID testing-to- program process.
Testing shall remain optional but strongly encouraged. Should a patient decline to test, he/she shall be limited to in-wing, cohorted activities until they are released from quarantine. Arrangements shall be made to accommodate essential clinical care.
Access to Health Care
All patients regardless of COVID quarantine status shall have access to routine, urgent, and emergent medical care. Appropriate precautions (facial coverings, using well ventilated spaces, etc.) shall be taken to minimize risks to the employee and resident population.
Should you have any questions regarding these changes please contact your immediate supervisor or email Health Care Services.