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Juvenile detention center employee tests positive for COVID-19

Posted at 6:14 AM, Apr 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-02 07:36:54-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An employee at Nashville’s juvenile detention center has tested positive for COVID-19.

Youth Opportunity Investments said they were notified of the employee’s diagnosis Wednesday evening. The officer is not currently at the facility and is under self-quarantine

YOI said the officer's last shift was Friday, March 27, from 10 p.m. to Saturday, March 28 at 6 a.m.

They also provided the officer’s work history over the past two weeks:

  • March 15; March 16; March 18; March 19; March 20; and March 21, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m
  • March 22, March 23, and March 27 between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Everyone who has had direct contact with the officer is being notified, including the youth, their parents/guardians, and their attorneys. Click here to read the facility's pandemic plan.

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What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)

According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.

What are the symptoms?

The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.

Prevention

The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.