Message from Director Anne Precythe: Southeast Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

April 11, 2020

The Missouri Department of Corrections has received notification that a member of the Southeast Correctional Center (SECC) team has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently in quarantine. He last entered the facility on April 7. 

This notification marks the only case of COVID-19 in which an institutional staff member worked in a facility within 14 days of testing positive. Six other staff members have tested positive while working in non-prison jobs or while on unrelated leave from work. This is the only COVID-19 positive test result among staff or offenders at SECC.

Please be advised that all protocols have been followed to minimize exposure. All staff who have been in close contact with the infected staff member have been notified and will remain in quarantine at home for 14 days. If you have not received notification that you are suspected of having had close contact with this staff member, that means you are not considered to be at risk. Areas where the infected staff member worked have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Pandemic plans and viral containment measures already are in place at SECC and all other institutions to reduce the risk of infection.

I would like to remind you that it is vitally important during this time to be aware that misinformation can cause unnecessary alarm and potential harm. Reporting test results of our team members is a delicate balance. Please respect the privacy of our staff members who have tested positive for this virus and extend that respect in all of your communications, including social media. If another staff member tests positive for COVID-19, we will share the results with people in the affected locations first, followed by a message to all staff.

We will continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and make additional operational decisions as the situation evolves. Throughout the duration of the COVID-19 health crisis, MODOC will post public updates on our website at https://doc.mo.gov/media-center/newsroom/covid-19. 

Please keep our team members in your thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery.

Thank you for being a part of a team that does incredibly important work for the State of Missouri.

Anne L. Precythe
Director