The Director of Corrections reports that, as of October 25th, there are zero cases of COVID-19 among inmates at Northampton County Prison (NCP). Since the start of the pandemic, 278 inmates have tested positive; all have finished their quarantine periods or are no longer at NCP. Currently, two Department of Corrections staff and two vendor employees are in quarantine after testing positive for the virus.

“COVID-19 is still being transmitted in our area,” says Lamont McClure. “I encourage everyone who can get vaccinated to do so and to get tested and quarantine if they begin showing symptoms.”

Since March 2020, NCP has conducted 5,112 tests for COVID-19 on inmates. All new inmates are tested when they come into the facility and must show a negative result before they are transferred to General Population; residents are tested on a random basis. PrimeCare Medical does daily temperature checks, movement of inmates is restricted within the facility and meals are served in the housing unit. In-person visitation is prohibited and no volunteers are permitted in the facility. Cloth masks are provided and inmates must wear them whenever they leave their cell. Any inmate participating in work release or work programs within NCP must be vaccinated.

NCP has held 22 vaccination clinics this year and vaccinated 422 inmates. Currently, 294 inmates in the facility are fully vaccinated. Shots for inmates and staff are administered by PrimeCare Medical. The vaccinations are not compulsory and are only provided to those who request them.

There are currently 615 inmates in residence at NCP.

Virus mitigation measures for employees at NCP include KN95 and surgical masks, daily temperature checks, hand sanitizer stations, increased cleaning/disinfection protocols, COVID-19 tests available on demand, ionizer and electrostatic sprayers throughout the facility, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

A COVID-19 drive-through vaccination clinic and testing site is open at 3100 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem Township, 18020. Hours of operation are Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 10:00AM – 2:00PM and Tuesday/Thursday from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. The drive-through testing center is located in the parking area to the rear of the Coordinated Health Building and is separate from patient parking and routine patient care.

A Physician’s order is not required to be tested. The drive-through site is open to everyone, but only residents of Northampton County will receive a free test if they do not have health coverage. All testing will be through HNL Lab Medicine unless insurance requires an alternate laboratory. Participants should bring a photo ID and their insurance card, if they have one, with them to the testing site.

To make an appointment for a vaccine at the COVID-19 drive-thru testing site use one of the following options:
1. Schedule at the LVHN website at LVHN.org/appointment.
2. Schedule on the MyLVHN patient portal, at MyLVHN.org.
3. Call 833-584-6283

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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