Westmoreland considers coronavirus tests for all new county jail inmates

Westmoreland officials will consider testing all new inmates at the county lockup to help guard against coronavirus at the facility.

Warden John Walton, during a meeting of the county’s prison board Monday, said although no case of covid-19 has breached the facility, the existing screening method to prevent spread of the virus might be untenable as the inmate population is expected to grow this summer.

“If more people come in, we’re not going to be able to quarantine,” Walton said.

Since March, at the onset of the pandemic, new inmates have been isolated in a wing at the prison for 14 days before being transferred to the general population. That 45-bed quarantine area is now close to capacity and, once filled, will prevent new inmates from being isolated, according to officials.

The inmate population increased over the last several months. Officials said 442 inmates were lodged in the facility Monday, an increase of more than 30 inmates from a month ago. The prison had an average daily inmate count of 618 in May 2019. Capacity is 711 inmates.

“I’d rather have testing than have people come in and spread the virus,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli said. “It’s common sense to get testing.”

Walton said all inmates and staff at the prison are required to wear masks. In-person visits with inmates have been suspended since March. All staffers, along with new inmates, are given temperature screenings before they are allowed in the prison.

A small number of inmates who have exhibited symptoms of the coronavirus were tested and came back negative. Walton said he did not know how many tests have been given.

It’s a similar process in Allegheny County, where the jail has experienced a number of inmates and staffers who tested positive for the coronavirus.

“All incoming inmates have temperatures taken and symptom checks done upon intake. For those individuals who are symptomatic or higher risk inmates, they are quarantined. Those checks are continuing, along with interviews being conducted by health care professionals and additional precautions are taken as clinically recommended,” said Allegheny County spokeswoman Amie Downs.

Allegheny County’s jail, as of Monday, had more than 1,700 inmates. Since March 28, inmates and seven staffers tested positive for the coronavirus among the 175 tests that have been conducted.

The county’s jail oversight board in April rejected a proposal to test all inmates at the Allegheny County facility.

Westmoreland officials said any coronavirus testing at the prison would involve only new inmates.

Commissioners last week hired Excela Health to conduct more than 800 coronavirus tests of residents and staff at Westmoreland Manor, the county-owned nursing home located just across a parking lot from the jail. Those tests were mandated by the state and cost $160 each. Those tests are now completed and found just one staffer, who officials said had no contact with residents, positive for the virus.

County solicitor Melissa Guiddy said the Excela contract could be amended to allow for testing at other county facilities should commissioners opt to embark on that plan.