By Kristy Deer and Mitchell Kirk | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Hancock County has recorded its first presumptive case of infection from the novel coronavirus.
Sheriff Brad Burkhart confirmed today (March 12) that a jailer at the Hancock County Jail has tested positive for the virus. The employee is from Marion County.
The staffer was sent home Sunday, March 8, after he received a text message informing him someone he had been in contact with a week prior had the virus. The staff member is currently home and in self-quarantine, said Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
The jailer has stayed home since then with a mild cough, Harris said. On the evening of Wednesday, March 11, the jailer was notified the test result was positive for COVID-19.
The jailer had no contact with inmates but did have contact with two other jailers. Those jailers have since been asked to self-quarantine and report to their physicians if they develop symptoms.
Burkhart said the sheriff’s department has been in close contact with the state’s health department to determine what steps are to be taken. In the meantime, they are limiting access to the jail stopping probation officials and others from coming in.
In addition to limiting visits and not transporting inmates to the county courthouse, jail officials temporarily suspending in-jail programs hosted by outside counselors.
“We are not overly concerned that it’s been spread throughout the facility based on the information we’re receiving from the health department,” Burkhart said.
Burkhart’s biggest concern, he said is the two staff members who were in direct contact with the other jail guard.
The jailer who has tested positive was only in the building for about five to six hours and was assigned to a post where he had no contact with any inmates, Burkhart said.
“He had no contact with anyone other than the staff members he worked with,” Burkhart said.
Based on CDC and health department recommendations, unless someone is symptomatic, people won’t be tested. Burkhart said one of the other jailers who came into contact with the man infected does have a slight cough and is expected to see a doctor.
“But, they’re both off right now – home,” Burkhart said. “If they become symptomatic, their doctor will establish what they need to do.”
Officials from the Sheriff’s department found out about the infection late Wednesday night, Burkhart said.
One of the jailers was at the facility as late as Wednesday and was told to go home as soon as officials found out about the positive test. The other was told not to come to the jail Thursday morning for work.
The protocol for them is to self monitor, including taking their temperature every couple of hours. If their conditions change, they are to contact their doctor as soon as possible.
While the jail and surrounding county buildings are not shut down, the infection will affect the county courthouse. Inmates for now will not be transported for appearances, meaning many cases will be continued.
Judge Marie Castetter, who presides in Hancock County Superior Court 1, said court officials had been working on putting some parameters in place to deal with the virus prior to learning about the infection late Wednesday night.
“We’d been working on that before all of this,” Castetter said. “We certainly don’t want to violate anyone’s constitutional rights that an individual has for a civil or criminal hearing, but we’ll proceed as normal as we can and follow the guidelines the CDC has put out.”
Burkhart said the jail is cleaned daily and custodians always use antibacterial cleaning solution, but now they are being extra cautious when checking people into the facility.
They’re also working with officials from the prosecutor’s office to determine how to handle any inmate who may become symptomatic, Burkhart said.
Crystal Baker, office manager and preparedness coordinator for the Hancock County Health Department, said because the jail staff member is a Marion County resident, the Marion County Health Department is taking the lead on the case.
She added the Hancock County Health Department is assisting by working with the sheriff’s department and those in the Hancock County Jail who the staff member has been in contact with. Those contacts are advised to stay home for 14 days and self monitor, which includes taking their temperature twice a day, she said. If they develop any symptoms, they should notify their primary physician, Baker continued. Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, shortness of breath and respiratory symptoms.
Baker said shortly before noon Thursday that no one in Hancock County has yet been tested for COVID-19 through the Indiana State Department of Health. She said she could not account for any testing being conducted at private labs, however.
Craig Felty, vice president, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer of Hancock Regional Hospital, said no one has been tested through the hospital either.
“We’re following the state’s guidelines and CDC guidelines,” Felty said. “We have called the state about several individuals and the state has then decided whether we’re going to test or not. We haven’t had anybody yet that the state has wanted to test.”
Baker said if the Hancock County Health Department is notified of a positive COVID-19 case, the state health department will dictate how to move forward.
“Every patient’s going to have a different level of symptoms,” she said.
If and when people test positive, they should stay away from people, wash their hands often and keep where they’re staying clean, Felty said.
“If they’re not to the point where they need hospitalization, the recommendation is for them to stay home, to socially isolate themselves and to make sure that they’re doing everything they can do not to pass the virus on,” Felty said.
The state and local health departments would be in touch with those who would test positive to assist with their quarantine and inform them how long they need to remain quarantined, Felty said.
“We just want everyone to remain calm,” Felty said. “They need to be aware of what’s going on. The recommendation is to stay away from crowded places, especially if you’re symptomatic, feel like you might be getting sick. That’s a good practice with any kind of illness.”
