Prince William County Partners with Health Department and Walmart for Testing

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA – On May 11, 2020, the Adult Detention Center (ADC) received notification that a former inmate, who was released on May 8, tested positive for COVID-19. Also, on May 11, the ADC had two staff members report that they were staying home from work with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Contact tracing for close contacts was immediately initiated, and subsequently 58 inmates were quarantined. The ADC requested 60 test kits and received the first delivery on May 13. On May 14, the ADC received confirmation that two additional staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

Out of the 58 quarantined, there are currently 11 inmates who are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19. COVID-19 tests were administered. The results are pending.

The ADC has two quarantine housing units, which are pod units with individual cells so that inmates can be quarantined individually. One unit is used for all newly admitted inmates. The second unit is designated for those inmates who were in contact with the inmate who was released from custody.

“The welfare and safety of the inmates and staff at the ADC are our number one priority,” said ADC Superintendent Pete Meletis. “From the very start of COVID-19, we’ve put numerous process and procedures in place to keep the virus out of the ADC, and as much as possible, to mitigate the spread of the virus if it were to enter the facility. We will continue to do everything we can to keep our inmates and staff safe.”

The ADC continues to follow all CDC and Virginia Department of Health guidelines. All staff and visitors continue to receive temperature and symptom checks, and every staff person is required to wear a mask in the presence of inmates. Inmates assigned to work detail receive two temperature and symptom checks daily. Cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing have been and continue to be top priority, and increased disinfecting has been occurring on a regular and consistent basis since the beginning of the pandemic.

For a comprehensive list of the ADC’s response to COVID-19, visit pwcgov.org/adc.

Additional requests for information should go to the ADC’s Office of Superintendent at 703-792-6417.