Four Lemon Creek Correctional Center employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to City and Borough of Juneau and the Alaska Department of Corrections.
“No inmates have tested positive as of this moment,” said DOC spokesperson Sarah Gallagher in a phone interview.
The confirmed cases include individual cases reported April 10, 12, 13 and a case that is not yet part of the state’s official count, according to CBJ.
[State confirms new COVID-19 cases in Juneau]
Gallagher confirmed that there’s a plan in place to activate or transfer other corrections officers or staff in the event that the facility requires them to continue functioning safely and efficiently.
“Right now, we’re good. We’re not in that situation yet,” Gallagher said. “We can transfer correctional officers from other facilities.”
There are also several probation officers in Juneau that could be activated to fulfill roles at LCCC if the need arises.
Gallagher said the DOC was prepared for this event in an email to the Empire last week, and was taking proactive steps to contain the spread, including a program wherein inmates would make masks.
“The inmates at Lemon Creek are participating on this statewide mask project. DOC has a goal of 40,000 masks by April 22,” Gallagher said. “Once everyone in the institution can protect themselves and then we’ll provide them for other essential workers in the state.”
LCCC currently has 85 staff and 219 inmates, Gallagher said.
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
