One-Third of Inmates at Sussex Correctional Institution Test Pos - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -

DOVER, Del. --- Roughly a third of all inmates at the Sussex Correctional Institution near Georgetown have tested positive for COVID-19, the Delaware Department of Correction announced on Monday.

All 973 inmates at the Sussex prison have been tested, with 320 of them testing positive for COVID-19, according to the state. Among them, correctional officials say 90 percent of them are asymptomatic and 32 inmates have shown symptoms of the disease. Four inmates were said to be in hospitals and did not need the assistance of a ventilator.

In a news release, DOC commissioner Claire DeMatteis said the virus hit three open-style dormitory buildings at SCI.

"We have isolated the inmates with the illness in our COVID-19 Treatment Centers where they are receiving round-the-clock monitoring and care by medical professionals.  We are taking extraordinary measures to protect and treat our inmates and staff and reduce the risk of new infections, including unprecedented relocation of inmates to different housing units at SCI and extensive specialized decontamination cleanings to contain further spread of the virus.”

DOC also said 21 SCI officers have tested positive for the disease, with another 18 SCI officers quarantining themselves pending COVID-19 test results. 

A total of 17 inmates at Morris Community Corrections Center (MCCC) in Dover have also tested positive for COVID-19, the state said. The MCCC cluster of cases originated with the transfer of three SCI inmates who had completed their Level V sentence and were transferred to complete their Level IV term of incarceration.  

"Voluntary testing also was offered to MCCC officers, with no officers testing positive from that facility," the news release said.

• • All SCI and MCCC inmates were tested for the COVID-19.  Testing was prioritized for inmates over 60 years of age and those with underlying health conditions, and three dozen SCI inmates over 60 and those with underlying health conditions who tested negative for COVID-19 were moved last week to a vacant housing building at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center to keep them in a COVID-free environment. 
  • In-person visitation at SCI and MCCC was suspended as a precaution to protect inmates and staff from transmission of the illness.
  • All programming was temporarily suspended in an effort to restrict movement across the facility.  Inmates are continuing to be provided recreation time, including in outside recreation areas.
  • Voluntary COVID-19 testing is being offered to officers and medical personnel at SCI, MCCC, and other DOC facilities.  
  • Additional deep cleanings are being conducted, including decontamination of housing units with specialized fogging machines.
  • SCI stopped accepting new commits on a temporary basis.
    
    

As of July 13, 87 COVID-positive inmates have been transferred to the COVID-19 Treatment Center at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC), 2 are being treated in the JTVCC infirmary, and 4 are being treated in stable condition in area hospitals.  227 SCI inmates who tested positive remain at that facility where most have been transferred to the SCI COVID-19 Treatment Center which opened on July 11. Nearly three dozen other SCI inmates who tested COVID-negative and who are over 60 years old and/or have underlying health issues have been temporarily transferred from SCI to a vacant building at JTVCC to protect their health in a COVID-free environment.

Currently across all correctional facilities, 35 DOC staff and 8 healthcare contractors have tested positive for COVID-19, while 87 DOC staff and healthcare contractors assigned to DOC facilities have recovered from the illness.  No additional information will be provided about the identity of the inmates or staff members for privacy protection.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Check back for more details as they become available.