Bernalillo County issued the following announcement on Apr. 9.
The Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) will return isolated and quarantined inmates to general population after they all tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nearly 80 MDC inmates were tested for COVID-19 this week and all of the tests came back negative for coronavirus. As a result, today and tomorrow inmates who were isolated for 14 days will be returned to general population status. General population classification means there are fewer movement restrictions in place.
For the four inmates who were in quarantine, including the one inmate who had tested positive for the coronavirus, their 14-day quarantine period ends on Saturday, April 11.
The 17 MDC employees who had been working with all of the inmates, including those in quarantine, also tested negative for the virus.
Before returning to general population, each inmate will have a brief screening, including a temperature check on the fourteenth day. If the screening does not indicate any current COVID-19 symptoms, the inmates will be cleared to return.
Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) recommendations, 126 inmates have been released, as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020, due to a vulnerable immune system and/or nonviolent charges. A majority of these inmates were released with conditions of the court.
Frequently asked questions are available in English and Spanish at https://www.bernco.gov/metropolitan-detention-center/mdc-covid-19-faqs.aspx
for individuals interested in more information about the jail’s management of the coronavirus COVID-19 impact on MDC staff and inmates.
Original source can be found here.
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