NDOC COVID-19 Updated Protocol for Staff & Offenders as of 01/25/22
COVID-19 UPDATED PROTOCOL FOR STAFF AND OFFENDERS
SECTION A: COVID-19 TESTING PROTOCOLS
COVID-19 TESTING
STAFF – All staff will be tested for COVID-19 weekly using a BinaxNOW* test regardless of their vaccination status.
- All staff MUST test on their first day back from their off days/weekend/AL/SL etc. prior to reporting to their assigned location.
- All staff returning to work after COVID-19 infection will require weekly BinaxNOW testing regardless of vaccination status.
INTAKES - All new offenders will be tested for COVID-19 using PCR test and quarantined for a minimum of 10 days. All INTAKES are to be treated as POSITIVE until we get the final PCR results.
(Please see SECTION B: COVID-19 ISOLATION PROTOCOLS).
ESSENTIAL INMATE WORKERS – Inmate workers, identified as essential by the Warden, who are currently COVID-19 NEGATIVE and are housed in QUARANTINE/ISOLATION units will be BinaxNOW tested prior to each work shift. SYMPTOMATIC inmate workers ARE NOT permitted to work regardless of COVID-19 test results. Inmate workers must wear an N95 mask at all times during their shift and full-PPE if needed.
* The Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test is cheaper and faster than real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) for detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
**The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 is a molecular test that analyzes your upper respiratory specimen, looking for genetic material (ribonucleic acid or RNA) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
SECTION B: COVID-19 ISOLATION PROTOCOLS
Staff and Offenders, regardless of vaccination status, if:
- SYMPTOMATIC and tests POSITIVE for COVID-19 using BinaxNOW will PCR test immediately and isolate for 10 days from the start of symptoms.
- SYMPTOMATIC and tests NEGATIVE for COVID-19 using BinaxNOW will be assessed by the institutional medical provider to be excluded or permitted to work. If permitted to work, they must work using an N95 mask at all times for 10 days.
- ASYMPTOMATIC and tests POSITIVE for COVID-19 using BinaxNOW will isolate for 10 days from the date of testing.
ALL staff must receive clearance from the facility provider after completing the 10 day isolation period and 72 hours*** symptom-free before returning to work regardless of vaccination status. Once cleared, staff will return to work on the 11th day and get tested with BinaxNOw at the gatehouse.
- All staff returning to work after COVID-19 infection will require weekly BinaxNOW testing regardless of vaccination status.
- All positive offenders must receive clearance from the facility provider after completing the 10 day isolation period and 72 hours symptom-free before they can be released from isolation.
*** The 72 hour period begins the first full day symptom-free.
SECTION C: EXPOSURE PROTOCOLS
Exposed Vaccinated staff to COVID-19 positive individual* – Staff may come to work as long as they are asymptomatic and must wear an N95 at all times while working. Staff must be tested with BinaxNOW on their next scheduled testing day. If the staff member develops symptoms between their exposure and the next testing day they will be tested at the time they develop symptoms with a BinaxNOW test. The facility medical provider will determine whether the staff member may remain at work while wearing an N95 mask.
Exposed Unvaccinated Staff to COVID-19 positive individual*- Staff will need to be quarantined for 10 days. Staff needs to call a facility provider on their 10th day and get clearance to return to work. Once cleared, staff will return to work on the 11th day and get tested with BinaxNOw at the gatehouse.
Staff (regardless of vaccination) who are living with a positive family member – Staff will need to be quarantined until positive family member has completed their 10-day isolation period (SEE SECTION B – COVID-19 ISOLATION PROTOCOLS). Following the quarantine period, the staff will need clearance from the facility provider to return to work. The staff member will be required to wear an N95 mask at all times when at work.
In an emergency situation, staff, regardless of vaccination and exposure, may be instructed to return to work as long as they are asymptomatic, wear an N95 and must wear full PPE, upon consultation with the Warden and authorized by the facility medical provider.
SECTION D: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROTOCOLS
Isolation/Quarantine units
All staff assigned to isolation or quarantine units must wear N95 and full PPE (gown and gloves). Necessary Precautions (handwashing, use of hand sanitizers, donning in and out of gowns) should be observed at all times.
MASK Policy for staff and offenders
All NDOC staff who have direct contact with offenders are required to wear an N95 mask at all times. The remaining NDOC staff need to wear a KN95 mask at all times and may elect to wear an N95 mask if they choose. N95 masks will be made available to all NDOC staff per request.
All staff with direct exposure to offenders are required to wear an N95 mask (not a KN95 mask) regardless of vaccination status at all times.
Offenders living in a dorm setting WILL NOT be required to wear masks due to the close contact amongst offenders.
An N95 mask must be worn by all offenders and staff when offenders have medical/court appointments are traveling within NDOC locations and all outside NDOC transfers regardless of their vaccination status.
All efforts must be made to make sure social distancing and sanitation protocols are observed when offender transportation is required.
SECTION E: OFFENDER TRANSPORTS
Offender transfer between NDOC facilities regardless of vaccination status
All offenders that are transferred within or outside the NDOC must have a negative BinaxNOW test on the day of transfer. Both offenders and custody staff must wear an N95 mask at all times during transfer. Under no circumstances should an offender be transferred if they have any flu-like symptoms regardless of BinaxNOW results. Symptomatic offenders, regardless of BinaxNOW results, will quarantine for 10 days then be tested again prior to transfer.
Offenders with positive BinaxNOW tests that are “must move” transfers shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis (courts, releases, etc.). In the event the offender still must be transported, they are required to wear full-PPE as are staff.
Offender transfers between NDOC facilities that are NOT vaccinated for COVID-19
Offenders that are not vaccinated for COVID-19 should be quarantined at their receiving NDOC facility for a minimum of 7 days. In the event the receiving facility does not have quarantine space available, the offender shall be housed with a cohort who is similar (e.g. unvaccinated, negative test and no symptoms may live together or unvaccinated, positive test, no symptoms, etc.). BinaxNOW should be performed at day 5 and if negative quarantine may end on day 7 with the inmate being transferred to general population on day 8. (The quarantine duration may be extended by the on-site medical provider)
Same-day appointments/Hospitalizations:
Must consult provider regarding whether or not inmate needs to be quarantined. If no provider, inmates need to be quarantined until seen by a provider.