YOUTH AT GIDDINGS STATE SCHOOL TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) has confirmed a positive case of COVID-19 in a juvenile inmate at the Giddings State School.
The TJJD said the positive test was confirmed late Monday evening, and that the youth is currently in medical quarantine at Giddings with a fever but no other symptoms. According to TJJD Executive Director Camille Cain, this is the first positive case of a youth at a secure TJJD facility.
The child’s family has been contacted by the agency, and he will remain on campus for treatment unless doctors determine that he should be admitted to a hospital.
Cain said the agency has been preparing for the possibility of a positive case in a youth since the beginning of the pandemic, saying it is “well-positioned from a staffing and equipment standpoint to respond”. She said the youth will be provided the best medical care possible, and that his health is the agency’s priority.
Any other youth or staff members at Giddings who may have had contact with the affected juvenile are being identified. Those who did will be administered a COVID-19 test and asked to self-isolate in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At this time, five other juveniles are on quarantine: three are awaiting test results, while two others were scheduled to be tested today (Tuesday). Since the start of the pandemic, the agency has administered 159 COVID-19 tests to youth in TJJD facilities.
The TJJD said since June 6th, Giddings has had four staff members test positive for COVID-19, but none of their conditions have been life-threatening.