23 detainees at Rolling Plains Detention Facility test positive for COVID-19

HASKELL, Texas — Twenty three detainees at the Rolling Plains Detention Facility in Haskell have tested positive for COVID-19.

Haskell County Judge Kenny Thompson said the county got 20 more positives back on Sunday.

Thompson said all of the detainees arrived at the facility on April 19 and 21.

On Thursday, three inmates were showing mild symptoms of COVID-19.

They were tested at the facility and placed in medical isolation.

Three of them tested positive Saturday.

“The facility is working hard to keep the virus out of the detainee population," said said Dr. Pamela Hearn, Medical Director for LaSalle Corrections. "Facility employees and medical staff continue to monitor detainees. Should any detainees exhibit symptoms, we will implement our protocols to test and isolate them from other inmates.”

Hearn said Lasalle Corrections began preparing in January for the possibility an employee or detainee would test positive for COVID-19. In February, the facility began providing additional personal protection equipment like masks and gloves, screening inmates for the virus during the intake process, monitoring inmates for symptoms of the virus and reducing employee and inmate contact inside the facility where possible.

“Every employee is screened and has their temperature taken upon arriving at work each day,” Hearn said. “Our nurses are making rounds, checking on detainees to see if any of them are experiencing symptoms. We have social distancing. And we are cleaning and sanitizing throughout the facility.”