1st Employee At Juvenile Facility Tests Positive For Coronavirus

From Maryland Matters: By Bruce DePuyt

SALISBURY, MD — An employee in the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services tested positive for COVID-19 more than a week ago, state officials announced Monday.

The employee, who tested positive on March 27, was working at the Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center in Salisbury.

All staff and youth who were in contact with this worker are in quarantine, the Department of Juvenile Services said in a news release on Monday.

In addition, all facility staff and youth have been directed to wear protective masks.

To reduce the risks of infection, DJS is ordering youth to wear masks when out of their rooms. Access to agency facilities is being limited to essential personnel. And all persons entering DJS buildings must undergo a medical screening and temperature check.

The agency was notified of the positive test result on Sunday; the state Department of Health is doing a follow-up test to confirm that the unidentified employee was infected with the novel coronavirus.

On Friday, Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender asked the Court of Appeals to use emergency powers to release juveniles from detention centers throughout the state, citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report.

bruce@marylandmatters.org

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