Hello, Corrections team.

As you know, health officials are working hard to contain the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus. We want you to have accurate information. Please visit https://www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus for current updates on COVID-19 in Missouri, as well as tips on staying safe and healthy.

So far, Missouri has one confirmed case and one presumptive positive case in the state. Positive results are considered “presumptive positive” until confirmation is received on the specimen from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which typically happens within the same week. There are no cases in correctional centers.

The Missouri Department of Corrections is prepared to prevent and contain the spread of this and other communicable diseases. Here are some of the things we’re doing:

• Effective immediately, offender visiting is suspended at all state prisons for 30 days. This decision was made as a preventative measure to protect the health of staff and offenders.
• Probation and Parole administrators are working on a plan to address referrals to the community supervision centers (CSCs), residential facilities and the Transition Center of St. Louis (TCSTL). Supervision contact requirements in the community are also being reviewed. Staff will be notified of any changes to policy and procedure.
• MODOC leaders have twice-daily calls at 7:30 a.m. and noon with the Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) and other state leaders to monitor the situation.
• All employee health nurses are informed and stay updated through a weekly call. They have a protocol in place to identify COVID-19 symptoms and take appropriate action.
• Every offender is screened at intake using a screening tool recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Corizon Health is prepared to identify symptoms and take appropriate action.
• Any offender showing signs of the disease will be placed in isolation. A test for the coronavirus may be administered following guidance from medical professionals. Each prison has been directed to prepare isolation beds/wings.
• Any offender reporting to a Probation and Parole office who shows signs of the disease will be asked to leave the premises and report to a physician or the county health department for an evaluation. Alternative methods of reporting, in lieu of face-to-face visits with offenders, may be used.
• Both Corizon and MODOC have designated staff to check in with DHSS and CDC daily for updates.
• Each prison already has a pandemic plan in place. These plans have been modified to include specifics for the coronavirus.
• All Probation and Parole offices and community corrections facilities have a pandemic plan in place. 
• Flyers have been posted at worksites with tips on preventing the spread of communicable diseases.
• Missouri Vocational Enterprises (MVE) is prepared when dealing with hospital laundry. Our process has been approved by the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council. All offenders wear protective gear and have been educated and personally instructed on handling hospital laundry safely and employing techniques to mitigate risk.
• A few things you can do to help: Please wipe down and sanitize doorknobs, hard surfaces, X-ray machines, bins, tables, pens and other items that may be touched by multiple people in common areas.

If you have urgent questions about COVID-19, please call 877-435-8411. This line is open 24/7. I encourage you first to check the links below or read the email, as your questions may be addressed in the helpful information sent to all staff by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Official updates:

• https://www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services FAQs:

Are there any positive cases in Missouri? If so, how many?

As of this writing, there are one confirmed case and one presumptive positive case in the state of Missouri. Positive results are considered “presumptive positive” until confirmation is received on the specimen from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which typically happens within the same week.

How is the virus spread?

• The virus is spread mainly from person to person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. More on cleaning surfaces below.

What are the best methods for preventing the Coronavirus?

The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Wash your hands! Wash them often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or about the time it takes to sing the ABCs. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid exposure and use simple prevention methods used for other viruses like colds and flu: See https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/videos.html

What else can I do to avoid getting sick?

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Do I need to wear a mask?

As the CDC has said, masks are NOT effective in preventing the general public from becoming infected with COVID-19. The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for first responders and health workers working with COVID-19 patients.

What should you do if you are sick with the Coronavirus or suspect that you might be?

• Stay home except to get medical care: Restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
• Discontinuing home isolation: Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments.

What are the symptoms?

Most people will have mild effects from the virus, but it can cause severe illness and pneumonia in others. People diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus have reported symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms include:

• Fever (100.4 degrees or greater)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Who is at risk? The risk to the general public is low. Higher-risk populations are:

• People who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, such as healthcare workers or household members. 
• People who have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Learn more about places with ongoing spread at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html#geographic.
• Older adults and those with serious health conditions (heart disease, diabetes, lung disease and any condition that affects the immune system). 

Please take steps to protect yourself and those around you from infection.

Thank you for all you do to make Missouri safer.