Another staff member tests positive at Loxley work center

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LOXLEY, Alabama — Another staff member at the Loxley Community Based Facility/Community Work Center has self-reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a release issued Tuesday by the Alabama Department of Corrections, six more staff members across the state informed the ADOC via self-reporting that they had tested positive for COVID-19 as of noon Aug. 4.

In addition to the Loxley staff member, two staff members at Fountain Correctional Facility in Atmore, two staff members at the Mobile Community Based Facility/Community Work Center in Prichard and one staff member at the North Alabama Community Based Facility/Community Work Center in Decatur also tested positive.

These individuals promptly self-quarantined under the direction of their healthcare provider, according to the release.

Last week, two staff members from Loxley were among eight ADOC staff members self-reporting to test positive for COVID-19.

The ADOC’s Office of Health Services has initiated investigations to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to these staff members. Upon completing the appropriate due diligence, OHS will advise any staff with direct exposure to contact their healthcare providers and self-quarantine as advised.

As of Tuesday’s release, a total of 135 cases among ADOC staff and contracted staff remain active with 178 staff members who previously self-reported a positive test cleared by medical providers to return to work.

As of Aug. 3, four inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 this week, one at Draper Quarantine Intake Facility in Elmore, one at Fountain Correctional Facility and two at St. Clair Correctional Facility. A total of 219 total cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among Alabama’s inmate population, 62 of which remain active, according to the release.

Newly identified positive cases include inmates who are symptomatic and inmates who are asymptomatic. All existing quarantine protocols held in-place or newly implemented as recommended by the ADOC’s contracted State Medical Director are being maintained at each facility where newly identified positive inmates are currently housed.