TENNESSEE, USA — The Tennessee Department of Correction has received results from the COVID-19 testing at two state facilities.
The testing was conducted on Friday, April 10, at the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville and the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex in Pikeville, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the Tennessee Department of Military.
Between the two facilities, 1,145 employees were tested.
There were 19 positive results. Of those 19, 13 of them were from TDOC staff and the other six were from contract employees.
TDOC said the employees who tested positive were notified of the results and referred to their primary care provider. They were further advised to seek testing for any close contacts in their homes and to self-isolate for 14 days.
All of the employees were asymptomatic at the time of testing, according to TDOC. Currently, one inmate at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center has tested positive and two inmates at the Turney Center Industrial Complex tested positive.
The department said it is currently conducting contact tracing at both facilities.
Disinfection and safety measures are ongoing, according to officials. All staff and inmates have received cloth masks, and they are being reminded to continue practicing the recommendations from the CDC and the TDH to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Correction encourages members of the public to visit its website for frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.
