All patients/inmates entering any MCSO jail undergo supplemental screening to determine the presence of COVID-19 symptoms or a history of recent contacts with COVID-19 positive individuals.
All patients/inmates at Intake, Transfer, and Release (ITR) are offered testing for COVID-19 upon processing for entry into any of the MCSO jail facilities.
Patients/inmates with a positive test result are placed in Medical Observation/Isolation.
Patients/inmates with a negative test result are placed in general population.
Any patient/inmate from a general population housing unit who develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 is placed in Medical Observation/Isolation and is offered testing. If the patient/inmate tests positive, then all individuals in the general population housing unit are placed under Quarantine status and offered testing.
Consistent with guidelines from the CDC and Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the following patients/inmates are placed in Medical Observation/Isolation for up to ten (10) days:
Patients/inmates who test positive for COVID-19,
Patients/inmates with a history of exposure to COVID-19 before incarceration,
Asymptomatic patients/inmates awaiting an elective hospital procedure,
Asymptomatic patients/inmates awaiting early release through the ‘Reach Out’ program, and
Asymptomatic patients/inmates who had close contact/exposure with a confirmed COVID-19 positive person are placed in Quarantine housing for approximately fourteen (14) days. All individuals in the housing unit are offered testing.
If a patient/inmate who is part of a Quarantined housing unit becomes symptomatic, the patient is placed in Medical Observation/Isolation and is offered testing for COVID-19. If the patient/inmate tests positive, they are kept in Medical Observation/Isolation.
If an asymptomatic patient/inmate in Quarantine housing tests positive, they are moved to Medical Observation/Isolation. The Quarantine clock for the remainder of the housing unit is reset to zero (0). The entire cohort housing unit is offered testing. If the patient/inmate tests negative, the fourteen (14) day Quarantine clock for the remainder of the cohort housing is not reset.
CHS recommends that patients/inmates in Medical Observation/Isolation or Quarantine be placed on ’Movement Restriction’ status.
Medical Observation/Isolation - Patients/inmates in Medical Observation/Isolation should not be allowed to leave their housing units. Movement should be limited to emergencies or releases. All patients/inmates must wear a mask when leaving the housing unit.
Quarantine - Patients/inmates in Quarantine who are asymptomatic or tested negative for COVID-19 may be allowed legal visits. Movement should be limited to emergencies or releases. The patient/inmate must wear a mask when leaving the housing unit.
Patients/inmates at higher risk for complications from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis (age ≥ 65, immunocompromised, or with a chronic condition) may be housed in the Infirmary. Patients/inmates receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.
According to the CDC, there is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. Most people who become ill with COVID-19 will be able to recover with supportive care. Patients/inmates receive supportive care to help relieve their symptoms. Patients/inmates with severe COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalization management are sent out to the hospital.
Patients’/inmates’ safety is a high priority for CHS. Therefore, those patients/inmates with severe COVID-19 disease requiring a higher level of care are sent to the hospital. Inpatient management focuses on the treatment and supportive management of the most common complications from severe cases of COVID-19 including, but not limited to:
As part of CHS discharge planning, and before release from custody, all patients/inmates in Medical Observation/Isolation are educated regarding COVID-19. Education and instructions include but are not limited to the following:
The number of quarantine days remaining until completion of the protocol,
To follow-up with a provider in the community if symptoms develop or worsen (fever, shortness of breath, cough), and
To stay at home in isolation for ten (10) days after testing positive for COVID-19, with three (3) days symptoms free.
Patients are also recommended to follow up with Public Health.
Patients/inmates who are released before a positive test result or before the completion of their isolation period are referred to Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) for continued shelter and medical care.