By MEGHAN GLOVA
CENTRAL OREGON DAILY NEWS
On Tuesday, Jefferson County saw 28 new cases of COVID-19 – some of which are associated with an outbreak of 61 people at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution.
According to Jefferson County Public Health, this includes at least 30 employees.
The first cases were reported on September 20th, but only reported to OHA recently.
Deer Ridge currently has more than 900 inmates, and the entire institution will have to quarantine for 14 days.
Prison staff who might be affected by COVID-19 will be contacted by the local public health office of the county they live in.
Deer Ridge staff will handle contact tracing for the inmates.
The county now has 162 active cases, twice the number from last week.
Public health says since Thanksgiving, it has continued to see community spread.
It is uncertain when Deer Ridge will receive a vaccine.
