An aerial shot of the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix, widely known as the Golden Grove Correctional Facility. Photo Credit: ERNICE GILBERT/ VI CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — Fourteen inmates at the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix, widely known as the Golden Grove Correctional Facility, tested positive for Covid-19 Wednesday, the V.I. Bureau of Corrections has announced. B.O.C. said it began testing detainees after one complained of mild, flu-like symptoms. Once the first detainee tested positive for Covid-19, the John Bell nursing staff tested the other detainees in the same housing unit and found another thirteen Covid-positive cases.
The positive Covid test results have all come from the same housing unit thus far, according to B.O.C. All detainees from that housing unit will remain isolated from the general population.
There are 157 inmates and detainees at John Bell as of today.
None of the fourteen detainees who tested positive for Covid-19 have required hospitalization, the bureau said. B.O.C. staff who may have been exposed to the infected detainees are being tested, according to the release.
Thus far, no staff has tested positive. All staff and inmates are being monitored closely by the nursing staff, under the supervision of Dr. Linda Callwood, B.O.C.’s medical director, according to the release.
Pursuant to CDC guidelines, B.O.C said it will re-test all detainees in the infected housing unit in one week. The bureau further stated that it has an ample supply of PPEs on hand and will collaborate with the V.I. Department of Health to ensure an adequate number of test kits, as needed.
The prison facility has been placed on a modified lockdown, with continuous disinfection and cleaning, the bureau said. Inmate movement has been restricted within the facility. In-person visits, work details, and prisoner furloughs remain suspended, as they have been since the start of the pandemic. Court hearings held virtually remain unaffected. Attorneys may visit with prisoners via secure video conference by contacting the facility to schedule a video visit.
Advertisements
