The deputy who is assigned to patrol has returned to work after recovering from COVID-19. The department anticipates additional employees affected by the virus will return to work in the next few weeks.
Deputies assigned to patrol stations are wearing face coverings when contacting members of the public. Deputies have been provided with Personal Protective Equipment. When people call Sheriff’s Dispatch, dispatchers are asking COVID-19 related questions in efforts to inform responding deputies that someone in the home is symptomatic and/or has tested positive. The responding deputy can identify the level of personal protection needed to ensure the health and safety.
Deputies are provided with cleaning supplies and are wiping down their patrol units throughout their shifts.
A Public Health Order is in place, requiring all citizens to wear face coverings when out in public. Face coverings may include coverings that secure to the ears or back of the head and encompass the mouth and nose. Homemade cloth ear loop covers, bandanas, handkerchiefs, and neck gaiters may be used to reduce the spread of COVID-19, particularly among asymptomatic people. Face coverings are not required while operating a motor vehicle; however, you must wear a face covering if while in your vehicle, if communicating with someone outside of your car window. Law enforcement is relying upon community members to use good judgment, common sense, and act in the best interests of their health and the health of others.
“We know our communities well, and the care and consideration they have for each other. Help us do our job of keeping the community safe and healthy. I know we can get through this if we all work together,” stated Sheriff John McMahon.
Deputies and inmates at the four jail facilities have been provided with and are wearing facial masks to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Inmates are provided with cleaning supplies to keep their housing areas sanitized. Local hotels donated thousands of bars of soap that have been distributed to the inmate population to supplement what already exists. An instructional handwashing video is played throughout the jails, illustrating correct handwashing techniques.
When a new arrestee is brought to a jail facility, the officer or deputy is met in the intake yard by jail medical staff. A medical evaluation is done prior to them being able to enter the jail. The arrestee is provided with a mask and, if necessary, will be transported to the hospital or placed in quarantine or isolation at the jail depending on the results of the medical evaluation.
The temperatures of jail staff are taken at the beginning of each shift in efforts to monitor the health and wellbeing of the staff working in the corrections bureau.
The department encourages all residents to follow local and state guidelines of hygiene and social distancing http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/.
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