First Westmoreland prison inmate tests positive for covid-19

Westmoreland officials confirmed Friday that an inmate who was placed in custody last week at the county prison tested positive for coronavirus.

This is the first confirmed case involving inmates or staff at the lockup.

Warden John Walton said the inmate was arrested July 11 by New Kensington police and was taken to a local hospital after he complained of stomach pain and was tested for the virus before he was booked into the prison in Hempfield. County prison officials learned on July 13 that he was positive for covid-19.

“He was placed directly into quarantine, in a negative pressure cell, so there has been no contact with other inmates,” Walton said. “He came in off the street so we have not had any inmates or staff contract covid-19.”

Jail guards and other staffers in contact with the inmate have been outfitted with personal protective equipment, the warden said.

The inmate will remain in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

All new inmates who enter the jail are placed in quarantine. Earlier this month, the jail initiated coronavirus testing of quarantined inmates after seven days. Once cleared of quarantine, inmates are placed in the general population.

Officials said there was no attempt to withhold information about the virus’ first appearance at the jail despite the five-day delay in disclosing the positive test.

“The county does not proactively hide cases, but instead we balance public safety with HIPAA concerns. The inmate was not a safety issue for our staff, our other inmates or the public. Immediately releasing a positive status could provide enough information for the public to discern identity,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

County officials previously confirmed that three courthouse workers tested positive for the virus this month.