Friday, March 20, 2020 | 10:27 AM
Good morning,
This email is to keep you updated on significant developments related to
CDCR's COVID-19 response.
Recent update
o As of March 20, 2020, the Agency received notification that
one employee at California State Prison, Sacramento, and one employee at
San Quentin State Prison have tested positive for COVID-19.
o There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the
incarcerated population.
If at any point it is determined there is a potential exposure to the
incarcerated population, the Agency will restrict movement at the
institution while a contact investigation is underway and quarantine
those deemed at-risk for an observation period.
The well-being of all who live, work, and visit state prison are of the
utmost importance to the Department and many measures are in place to
prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at
www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19. The
Agency works in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the Department of Public Health and the local health
department to ensure all guidelines are followed.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 preparedness efforts at
www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19. You
may also send questions via
covid19@cdcr.ca.gov email
address. We'll be updating our data related to confirmed COVID-19 cases
daily here:
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/cdcr-cchcs-covid-19-status/.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Isolation separates people who have a contagious disease from people
who do not.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were
exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Are staff, volunteers, and incarcerated individuals being screened every
time they come into a CDCR or CCHCS location?
CDCR and CCHCS have implemented enhanced verbal screening protocols
for all employees, contract staff, and any others who enter any agency
location, including prisons and offices.
Is it true that CDCR/CCHCS staff have tested positive for COVID-19? What
are the protocols when this happens?
Yes. As of March 19, 2020, the Agency received notification that one
employee at California State Prison, Sacramento, and one employee at San
Quentin State Prison have tested positive for COVID-19.
If at any point it is deemed there is a potential exposure to the
incarcerated population, the Agency will restrict movement at the
institution while a contact investigation is underway and quarantine
those deemed at-risk for an observation period.
The well-being of all who live, work, and visit state prison are of the
utmost importance to the Department and many measures are in place to
prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at
www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19. The
Agency works in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control, the
Department of Public Health and the local health department to ensure all
guidelines are followed.
What is a contact investigation?
When public health workers investigate whether a disease has
spread, it is called a contact investigation. For COVID-19, this
generally starts with an interview of the person who has a positive test.
Questions are asked such as places they have been and a list of people
who may have had close contact with them.
CDC considers a close contact someone who was within about six feet
of someone with COVID-19 for a long period or had direct contact with
infectious secretions of a person with coronavirus  such as being
coughed on.
The Agency has protocols in place that follow recommendations for
quarantines set forth by the California Department of Public Health and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any incarcerated
individual who shows symptoms for COVID-19 will be tested for COVID-19 as
appropriate.
CDCR/CCHCS are utilizing our current external laboratory provider for
COVID-19 testing and are utilizing testing protocols based on guidance
from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for
Disease Control (CDC). Our current turnaround for test results is 48-72
hours.
We ask that employees and others practice compassion and respect for the
privacy of employees who are sick, as well as others who may be
self-quarantined. We respect and appreciate the hard work of employees
working hard to protect those in our care from COVID-19.
What is CDCR/CCHCS protocol for testing incarcerated individuals?
Early diagnosis may improve clinical outcomes and so priority for
COVID-19 related testing is being considered for symptomatic individuals
who are older than 65 years old or have a chronic medical condition
and/or are immunocompromised. While influenza remains prevalent, patients
with a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cough who are not at
high risk for severe disease may undergo testing for influenza as a
first-line test, with a COVID-19 testing if negative for influenza.
How is CDCR/CCHCS managing the situation when there are individuals
with positive results?
As of March 20, we have no incarcerated individuals who have tested
positive. If we do have an incarcerated individual test positive, we will
isolate and treat the patient and quarantine those who have been in close
contact.
Due to the unique factors of each institution and the population each
institution houses, the department remains agile in our response to any
potential case of COVID-19 based on the factors and risk related to that
case, with the top priority being the safety and protection of staff,
volunteers, and the incarcerated population.
Are CDCR and CCHCS identifying at-risk people in quarantined units?
The Agency has established additional precautions for those in units
with a vulnerable population and our infirmaries. CCHCS and CDCR have
collaboratively established precautions based on recommendations by CDPH
and CDC.
Are CDCR and CCHCS providing doctorsÂ’ visits and COVID-19 screening to
the incarcerated population?
We have communicated to the incarcerated population that if they are
experiencing symptoms they should immediately seek health care at their
institution. In 2019, the Agency eliminated all copays for inmate
healthcare:
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2019/02/21/california-department-of-corrections-and-rehabilitation-eliminates-inmate-copayments-for-health-care-services/
.
If this spreads through CDCR/CCHCS, what contingency plans are in
place to ensure things keep running?
The Agency has continuity of operations plans ready to implement in
order to maintain critical functions should the situation arise. As a
precautionary measure, and to ensure CDCR and CCHCS are ready to
immediately respond to any COVID-19 related incident, the Agency has
activated the Department Operations Center (DOC) in order to be fully
prepared to respond to any departmental impacts resulting from COVID-19.
The DOC is a central location where CDCR/CCHCS experts monitor
information, prepare for known and unknown events, and exchange
information centrally in order to make decisions and provide guidance
quickly. We will continue to ensure inmate safety and security, and the
continuation of access to medical, dental, and mental health services for
the incarcerated population.
Krissi Khokhobashvili
Chief
Office of External Affairs
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
(916) 324-6508
she/her they/them