Minimizing the Impact of COVID-19 in a County Jail Environment to Protect a Vulnerable Population

• DOI: 10.1089/jchc.20.12.0110
• Publication Date: 2022-02-23T21:07:10Z
• Authors: Michael Mesisca; Thomas Minahan; Bonnie Carl; Terry Fillman; Melanie M. Randall
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

At the start of COVID-19 pandemic, there was conflicting information about spread virus. Despite this, early and aggressive protective measures were implemented by a multidisciplinary team within Riverside County Department Corrections to mitigate potential impact pandemic on its five county jails. We believe this helped result in low incidence severe infections, rate spread, mortality these jails, even while local community much higher. With continued possibility future pandemics, we outline advocate for an approach protect our correctional environment.