Waterbury, VT – Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport is now in standard modified operations, the Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) announced Thursday. This status change comes after three consecutive rounds of outbreak testing revealed zero new COVID cases among staff or incarcerated individuals.
The outbreak began after two staff members tested positive for the virus August 18 and 21 after presenting with symptoms. As part of outbreak protocol, the facility was put on full lockdown.
A total of seven staff and 33 incarcerated individuals tested positive during the outbreak. All are now medically cleared; there are zero active positive cases in staff and the incarcerated population. The entire facility is testing again today; the results of those tests will determine further steps to reopen NSCF to outside visitation.
“I am thankful that, because of the work of Vermont DOC staff and our partners, we were able to manage and contain the virus and no one became seriously ill,” said Commissioner Jim Baker. “Further testing will be conducted to confirm the virus is contained.”
As of Thursday, a total of four staff members and three incarcerated individuals statewide are positive for the virus. There are positive cases in staff, the incarcerated population, or both at three of Vermont’s six facilities.
Families and friends of incarcerated individuals are encouraged to reach out to the Vermont DOC Office of Constituency Services with questions: https://doc.vermont.gov/information-inmate-families-and-friends. Click here for the direct link to the online Friends and Family portal.
Daily updates on the COVID-19 response in Vermont’s correctional facilities can be found at https://doc.vermont.gov/covid-19-information-page.
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