As is the case with the community’s rise in positive COVID-19 cases, the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center (LPCC) has also seen an increase. Since last week, LPCC has received a greater number of COVID-19 positive cases involving both inmates and employees. Currently, 12 housing units are under quarantine due to either positive COVID-19 cases or inmates being quarantined for precautionary measures. These 12 units make up 40% of LPCC’s inmate population. Of the 40% quarantined (199 inmates), 69 have received results indicating they have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Of these 69 inmates only 14 have very mild symptoms, while the remaining 55 are asymptomatic. All inmates that have tested positive for the virus have been evaluated by medical providers and continue to be monitored frequently. None of the inmates have required emergency intervention or hospitalization.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center has been operating under very strict health and safety protocols. These nationally recognized protocols include:

* Screening
* Quarantines
* COVID-19 testing
* Medical evaluations
* Area sterilization and the highest levels of sanitation
* Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Our LPCC staff has also been affected by the increase in positive COVID-19 cases. In the last two weeks, we have had 16 employees (8% of our staff) test positive. Those employees are required to quarantine at home and are not allowed to return until cleared.

All staff are required to wear a mask while working inside LPCC and all inmates that are escorted out of their housing units for any reason are required to wear masks. In addition, all staff working with the quarantine units are required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) in an effort to prevent any possible spread.

We appreciate the continued cooperation of all our law enforcement and judicial partners to help us regulate our inmate population, and will continue to uphold the highest standards for the health and welfare of our employees and the inmates we house.