COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Youth Services says no juveniles or staff members are likely to have been infected by a part-time contractor who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
It is the first case connected to the department, which confirmed that the contractor works at the agency’s central office on Fisher Road but has not been at the office since March 12 and has been inside a correctional facility since February.
The person began experiencing symptoms on March20 and was tested for COVID-19 on March 23.
Officials say it is unlikely that any youth or other staff members could have contracted the virus from the individual.
The announcement came a day after the state announced the first positive coronvarius test for a prison employee. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction says the employee is employed at Marion Correctional Institution and was last at work on March 24. He experienced symptoms the next day and reported a positive test Sunday.
The department says no inmates or guards will be transferred out of the prison for now.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Supreme Court is weighing a request by a Belmont Correctional Institution prisoner to be released over fears of the virus hitting the prison. The state asked the court Monday to dismiss Derek Lichtenwalter’s lawsuit.
Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday said inmates in Ohio prisons have begun making badly needed healthcare supplies.
Inmates have made 500 hospital gowns and DeWine says they will make 44,000 more when they get additional fabric.
Inmates will also begin making cough masks, similar to surgical masks. and will be able to make 5,000 a day up to a total of 2 million.
They will also make hand sanitizer. and face shields. Each prison with its own workshop will also make masks for the people in those prisons.
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Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security is accepting donations of home-sewn masks in addition to manufactured PPE for the COVID-19 response.
Items Needed:
Gowns
Non-Sterile Gloves
Surgical Masks (Ear Loop)
N95 Masks – All Sizes
Home Sewn Masks
Hand Sanitizer
Viral Swabs/Viral Culture Vials
Donations of homemade masks and manufactured PPE are accepted daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at FCEM&HS headquarters 5300 Strawberry Farms Blvd., Columbus.