WILMINGTON, Del.- An employee at the Stevenson House youth detention facility in Milford has tested positive for COVID-19, Delaware officials announced Tuesday.
The individual is self-isolating at home, according to a news release from the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families. Officials said the department began implementation of notification and cleaning protocols after being made aware of the situation. Impacted staff were directly advised so that they can monitor themselves for symptoms.
The area where the staff member was stationed was immediately closed off to others working within the building and the area was disinfected according to guidance from the State of Delaware and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials said.
Stevenson House is a Level V secure care facility. Families of all youth in the facility, regardless of their actual potential for exposure, have been contacted and all youth are being closely monitored for symptoms, the department said. To date, no other staff member nor student has reported any symptoms.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, DSCYF said it has limited face-to-face contacts, provided facility and community-based staff with personal protective gear, increased screening protocols for anyone entering a facility, bolstered cleaning protocols, and established plans to separate symptomatic individuals to slow the spread of the virus, when needed.
“This is a very difficult and stressful time for our staff, youth and families, and I cannot stress enough how we appreciate their flexibility and patience. COVID-19 has changed our way of life here in Delaware and the safety and wellbeing of our staff and youth remains our primary concern," said Josette Manning, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. "We have implemented procedural changes to protect staff and youth, and make our decisions by following the guidance of public health officials. We will continue those efforts to protect our staff and youth. Despite the fact that we are in a time of great uncertainty, I am grateful our staff continues to strive every day to help youth rehabilitate and move forward with their lives."