SALISBURY, Md. — The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) says a staff member at Lower Eastern Shore Children’s Center in Salisbury, tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee last worked at the facility on March 27 and has been in quarantine since.
All staff and youth who were in contact with the worker are currently in quarantine. In addition, all facility staff and youth have been directed to wear protective masks.
The Maryland Health Department and DJS are currently in the process of confirming the test results. Further tests have been ordered and will be completed to identify and confirm the COVID-19 virus.
All of the youth where the employee was are being monitored at levels for COVID-19 symptoms. Any who display symptoms or test positive are put in isolation for at least 14 days and employees who
display symptoms or test positive are quarantined at home for at least two weeks and must be medically cleared to return to work.
According to DJS, the following precautionary steps are being taken at facilities across the state to contain the virus:
Strict infection control measures (including wear masks when out of his/her room)
Enhanced hygiene and sanitation practices
Limiting facility entry to only essential personnel and requiring all persons entering DJS facilities to
complete a medical screening and temperature check
Each youth newly admitted to DJS custody undergoes a thorough medical evaluation as part of the
intake process. Newly admitted youth are housed separately until they have been monitored for
COVID-19 related symptoms and cleared
Modified movement and meal service that aligns with social distancing protocols
Increased visitation through video and phone calls
While DJS has maintained education services to date, DJS and MSDE are engaged in planning to
transition to a distance learning model
On-site and on-call medical staff available at all facilities
In-person and remote mental health services available at all facilities
Implemented 24-hour recorded hotline with latest DJS COVID-19 information
The Department of Juvenile Services has also set up a hot-line that will be updated with current information related to outbreaks and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in DJS facilities.
The toll-free number is 877-357-4161.
