COVID-19 precautions at Alpena County jail
ALPENA, Mich. — The Alpena County jail has had to shift the way they would normally operate in an effort to do their part to stop the spread of COVID–19. They say they are following guidelines from the Centers for Disease control and state health department.
According to Alpena County Jail Administrator, Scott Gagnon, screenings are conducted whenever anyone comes into the facility. He said they are following the CDC’s standard line of questioning asking about symptoms as well as doing temperature checks. Gagnon added that they’ve implemented a number of steps beginning with daily sanitation.
Newly admitted offenders are not streamlined into the general population and are rapid tested for COVID-19. Gagnon said visitation has stopped but they are doing visits by Zoom and over the phone.
Gagnon said inmates wear masks but the spread of COVID–19 could be introduced into the facility at any time. He said when inmates test positive they are separated from other offenders to help stop the spread.
