TDOC and TDH Testing Results for Corrections Employees
NASHVILLE – 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. Results of the mass testing for state employees and contract workers are as follows:
Total employees tested -------------- 1,145
Total negative results ----------------- 1,126
Total positive results ----------------------- 19
TDOC staff positive ------------------------- 13
Contract employees positive ------------- 6
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. Currently, one inmate at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center has tested positive and two inmates at the Turney Center Industrial Complex tested positive.
The Department is currently conducting contact tracing at both facilities.
Disinfection and safety measures are ongoing. 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.