After covid-19 has shown a steady increase in a number of states across the country – and Delaware being no exception, the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced it is temporarily suspending in-person visitation.
The in-person visitation suspension applies to all of its Level V prison and Level IV work release and violation of probation facilities., according to a news release.
Officials say the reason is a precaution to protect inmates and staff from COVID-19.
The announcement comes after public health officials reported rapidly increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 test results among the general population and indications of significant community spread of the disease.
“The Department of Correction is carefully monitoring the growing number of cases across Delaware, and as a precaution we are proactively suspending in-person visitation temporarily to reduce the risk of this illness entering and spreading within our facilities,” Commissioner Claire DeMatteis said. “Regular interaction with loved ones is very important and the DOC provides phone access in all correctional facilities as well as video visitation in every Level V prison to facilitate ongoing communication between inmates and their family and community supports.”
Thanks to DOC’s aggressive cleaning, screening, and mitigation measures that have continued uninterrupted since this spring, today there are only two isolated cases of COVID-19 among inmates, both from Sussex Correctional Institution. These isolated cases were identified through proactive screening and testing and both are receiving treatment. There have been no new positive inmate COVID-19 test results since October 29.
