Here’s the latest from Tom Shaer, spokesperson for Illinois Department of Corrections, on the flu conditions that have affected correctional facilities statewide.
- Six correctional centers are involved (out of 29 IDOC facilities)
- 31 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu (out of approximately 48,750 inmates in the system)
- With the number so low, IDOC is doing everything possible to keep it that way and is following all instructions from IDPH and county health departments. We are taking an extremely cautious approach.
- All confirmed cases and even those with only symptoms are immediately isolated (25 inmates with symptoms have tested negative for the flu). All housing units with either confirmed cases or symptoms are quarantined and locked down. NOTE: Totals for “with symptoms” (below) includes those who have tested negative.
- Intense cleaning and disinfecting takes place multiple times daily
- H1N1 flu is not unusual this year in Illinois. There are many cases, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- All inmates receive flu shots upon intake by IDOC, unless declined. Shots distributed this season do target H1N1, anticipated by state and national health authorities to be present much more often in 2013-‘14.
- Five correctional centers are on partial Level 1 Lockdown; only one is on full-facility Level 1 Lockdown. All lockdowns are precautionary/medical, none for security reasons.
Graham Correctional Center
Number of positive cases: eight
With symptoms: 23
Areas quarantined: Three areas (down from seven over the weekend) Transfers: Yes, to areas which are not quarantined
Visits: No
Quarantine start dates: 1/9
Lockdown status: Three areas on Level 1 Lockdown.
Comments: Three areas expected to remain quarantined for four days; watching for new cases
Lincoln Correctional Center
Number of positive cases: Six
With symptoms: 17 (currently on one wing)
Areas quarantined: One
Transfers: Yes, to areas not quarantined
Visits: No
Quarantine start dates: Varies (first was 1/2/14, most recent 1/9/14) Lockdown status: Entire facility on Level 1 Lockdown.
Comments: No new cases. Level 1 Lockdown lifted for most of facility. Housing Unit 2 on lockdown. Quarantine lifted for all but four inmates.
Taylorville Correctional Center
Number of positive cases: seven.
With symptoms: 11.
Areas Quarantined: Several areas of one housing unit.
Transfers: Yes, to areas not quarantined.
Visits: No.
Quarantine Start Dates: Varies; 1/9, 10, 11/14.
Lockdown status: Many areas on Level 1 Lockdown, but not entire facility.
Comments: Quarantine lifted for one area today and another to be lifted tomorrow, given no new cases.
Illinois River Correctional Center
Number of Positive Cases: Two.
With Symptoms: 65 (Isolated on two areas of one wing, plus Health Care Unit [HCU] ) Areas Quarantined: One housing wing.
Quarantine start date: 1/9/14
Lockdown status: Entire facility on Level 1 Lockdown.
Transfers: No
Visits: No
Comments: Level 1 Lockdown for entire facility will remain in place tomorrow.
Western Correctional Center
Number of positive cases: Four.
With symptoms: 10.
Areas quarantined: Two areas of one housing wing, one in Receiving.
Transfers: Yes, to areas not quarantined.
Visits: None
Quarantine start Date: 1/10
Lockdown status: Partial; two housing units on Level 1.
Comments: Quarantine will be lifted tomorrow for both areas in the housing wing. Receiving will remain quarantined for the seven-day period recommended by IDPH.
Logan Correctional Center
Number of positive cases: Four
With symptoms: Seven
Areas quarantined: Several areas in one housing unit
Quarantine start date: 1/9/10
Transfers: Not in affected housing unit; transfers OK elsewhere Visits: No
Lockdown status: Partial; one housing unit
Comments: Situation substantially improved over the past 48 hours.