Two additional youth residing at Stevenson House Detention Center, Milford, have tested positive for coronavirus, the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families announced Monday. The number of cases is now four.
The department received the test results over the weekend and immediately initiated cleaning and notification protocol and coordinated the care for the youth in a specialized Covid-19 care unit, a separate unit with a dedicated nurse and dedicated staff. Youth are monitored for symptom progression at this unit. Additionally, the Department has purchased handheld games to help them get through quarantine.
Of the four youth who have tested positive, two are asymptomatic and two are experiencing mild symptoms.
Stevenson House, a secure care Level V facility, has been cleaned with a disinfectant fogger and continues to be disinfected daily. Testing continues and all residents are being monitored.
Also, all Stevenson House staff are wearing personal protective equipment as a precaution and we are attempting to limit youth interactions in large group settings.
Additionally, youth at all secure care facilities are required to wear face coverings at this time.
“Throughout this pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our staff and youth has remained our primary concern. We have implemented procedural changes to protect staff and youth and make our decisions by following the guidance of public health officials. We will continue those efforts to protect our staff and youth,” said Josette Manning, cabinet secretary of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF), which oversees the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. “We are in a time of overwhelming stress, and I want to express how grateful I am for our dedicated staff. They have reported to work under extremely trying times and continue to strive every day to help youth rehabilitate and move forward with their lives.”
The department’s centers had largely escaped the Covid-19 pandemic until recently Community spread of the virus has surged in recent weeks.
