The Marshall County Health Department and the Marshall County Commissioners are working to get inmates and employees the help they need in light of almost 40 COVID-19 positive inmate cases at the jail.
In a special meeting held Thursday morning at the Marshall County Building, the commissioners addressed the situation at the Marshall County Correctional Facility. The Marshall County Health Department called in the State Board of Health Strike Team after they found several inmates having health issues. Almost 40 tested positive with COVID-19. Commission President Kevin Overmyer stated that 132 inmates were tested on Wednesday. The results of those tests should be known Thursday.
No employees were tested.
Marshall County Health Nurse Lisa Letsinger said the Health Department recommended that all people at the jail, including employees, get tested to determine a baseline to find out what was going on in the facility.
“There was an opportunity for all employees – and it was our recommendation to Sheriff [Matt] Hassel – that all of his employees be tested yesterday [Wednesday]. The State even was willing for other surrounding counties to come in so they could fill in while those employees were being tested. The offer was declined,” stated Letsinger.
However, after more communication, Letsinger said Sheriff Hassel said he was willing to have employees tested.
“We missed the window,” Letsinger continued. “So, now we’re going to have to figure out how they are tested at the Lifeplex and then that’s going to be another minimum three-day turnaround for resulting.”
Overmyer stated that Commissioner Michael Burroughs was asked about how employees could be taken care of if they have to quarantine with no vacation time. Overmyer cited Indiana code (36-8-10-11.5) which states that if a jail employee is injured or contracts an illness, the county would be responsible for medical expenses.
Overmyer stated, “They’re working in a condition that is like none other in this county – the County Building the Courthouse – and they’re dealing with 177 inmates out there. We do have CARES money left so I would fully support, and the other two [commissioners], that if some of those employees don’t have the time that we can supplement their income with this CARES funding.”
Commissioner Michael Burroughs agreed.
“We have the funds and we have the responsibility to take care of any employee that tests positive and would have to quarantine,” commented Burroughs. “I don’t want money to be a deterrent for employees getting tested.”
Commissioner Stan Klotz was also on board.
He stated, “We just have an obligation to take care of our employees. Until we get testing and get an actual picture of what’s going on, we have an obligation to take care of it.”
Additionally, in a conference call with Quality Correctional Care (QCC), the company who provides medical care to the inmates at the jail, Marshall County Health Nurse Lisa Letsinger suggested to them that vitamin supplements be administered to the inmates to boost immune health, but Overmyer stated that QCC indicated that they would give them Tylenol only. He stated QCC has not been cooperative in assisting inmates who need help.
“I think probably after the first of the year we’re going to have to have a call with QCC with our county attorney because if I remember I think the commissioners signed that contract to provide health care for the Correctional Facility and so I think we’re going to have to have a discussion with them if they want to continue or if they want to be terminated.”
In the meantime, Letsinger said she was going to meet with St. Joseph County Health System officials to address medical needs.
She said, “We’re going to go out to the jail to look at just the space and if we would need to do any further treatments for the inmates where that would happen so we potentially wouldn’t have to transport them.”
Marshall County Health Officer Dr. Byron Holm was also working with the hospital to address additional treatment for inmates if needed.
Overmyer stressed that the commissioners fully support the Marshall County Health Department and their efforts to slow the spread and do what they can to help those in need.
Letsinger replied, “There’s still work to be done, but we are doing our best to try to mitigate the current situation and do what’s right for the staff and inmates at that facility.”
Commissioner Michael Burroughs publicly thanked Head Jailer Beau Holcomb for taking care of officers and communicating with health officials of the situation at the jail.
MAX 98.3 FM News will have more information about the results of the test as soon as it becomes available.
