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Norfolk City Jail Protocols

norfolk city jail building

Protecting the life, health, safety, and security of those in custody or working in the Norfolk City Jail is the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office’s top concern. With the recent surge in cases of COVID-19 throughout the country and right here in Hampton Roads we want to ensure family members of individuals in our care that the Norfolk City Jail continues to follow CDC guidelines and is in daily contact with the Norfolk Health Department, just as we have been for the past 22 months. 

In an effort to provide adequate, factual information, below you will find the protocols for the Norfolk City Jail as it relates to COVID-19.

When it comes to COVID-19, the Norfolk City Jail categorizes blocks based on the severity of symptoms. The terms Hot Zone, Warm Zone, and Observation Zone are used to distinguish between the types symptoms the block is experiencing.

  1. If an inmate becomes sick and has severe symptoms of COVID-19 (including low oxygen levels, high fever, etc.) they will be removed from their block and given a COVID-19 Rapid Test. If the test returns positive, the inmate is isolated and moved to a HOT ZONE. Once in the HOT ZONE, the inmate’s symptoms are monitored by medical personnel multiple times a day, including having their vitals and oxygen levels monitored. If symptoms continue to worsen, additional medical care will be sought. The block they were moved out of is then considered a WARM ZONE.

  2. The inmates in the WARM ZONE are considered close contacts and they will be monitored by medical staff multiple times a day, including having their vitals and oxygen levels monitored. The block will be placed in quarantine status for 10-14 days. If any inmate in the WARM ZONE starts to have severe symptom, they will then fall under the protocol mentioned above.

  3. If an inmate is showing minor symptoms of COVID-19 or has a low-grade fever, they will remain in their block and the block will be listed as an OBSERVATION ZONE. The block will be placed in quarantine for 10-14 days. During that time, all of the inmates in that block will be checked by medical staff multiple times a day, including having their vitals and oxygen levels monitored. If at any time, an inmate starts to experience severe symptoms, staff will follow the above protocol. 

Cleaning supplies are provided to every block listed in the Hot Zone, Warm Zone, and Observation Zone and inmates are instructed on how to properly wipe down common areas and surfaces, including but not limited to restrooms, tablets, and phones. Additionally, Norfolk City Jail staff is cleaning the entire facility daily with a solution that kills the virus. All inmates are provided masks to wear, which should be worn at all times.