IDOC TO INMATE EMAIL April 15, 2022

A message from Director Tewalt

It has been a while since I have given you a COVID update. The good news is that the COVID positivity rate has dropped dramatically in the state and based on the Department of Health and Welfares State-Assigned COVID-19 Community Levels all of our facilities fall into the low-risk or green category. Our overall statewide positivity is at 1.9%. In the last two weeks, we have conducted roughly 1,163 tests within our facilities and had only 3 positive test results that puts our overall test positivity rate at less than 1%. Green means go, so you may have noticed that over the last couple of weeks we have started our demobilization efforts in accordance with our COVID operations matrix. What that means for you is that all of our facilities are working to reopen visitation and to get our programming back to normal.

Here are a few important points for you to be aware of -

For facilities that are in the green, masks are only required in medical, quarantine, and isolation areas. With this change, please be mindful that there are several reasons why some individuals may want to continue wearing a mask. Regardless of your personal feelings about masks, please help us to create an environment where everyone can feel good about the decision they make for themselves.

Vaccinations are still highly recommended because variants continue to circulate and the vaccines have been shown to reduce the severity of illness and the likelihood of death (see clinic information below).

Social distancing and frequent hand washing are also still recommended.

We will continue our RDU process as is, with a minimum 14-day quarantine.

We will be moving to randomized surveillance testing that will include both staff and residents. You can expect follow-up testing if there are positive test results, but less overall testing as long as we remain in green status.

Vaccine Clinics

If you have not been vaccinated or want a booster shot please participate in an upcoming vaccination clinic or submit a Health Services Request (HSR). Second booster shots are available for all residents over the age of 50 who have had at least four months pass since their last shot. First-time vaccinations and boosters are also available. Increasing the number of individuals who are vaccinated increases protections for everyone. Centurion will have two vaccine clinics happening within the next two weeks:

SICI-April 21st
*To participate please submit an HSR by no later than April 19th.

ISCC April 27th
*To participate please submit an HSR by no later than April 24th.

Demobilization

I know we are all anxious to get back to more normal operations, but please recognize that staffing levels will have an impact on the rate with which a facility can move forward. Additionally, we still need to remain nimble and be prepared to shift gears in short order. Unfortunately, there are new variants on the horizon. Please take care of yourselves and continue the practices that enhance your safety.

Josh