MEMORANDUM

As we are all aware, the potential issues related to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) have created operational concerns within the facility.  In an effort to provide a safe environment for inmates, staff, and the public, we are instituting the following:

At 7:00 pm today we will cease personal visits at the facility.  We will expand our visitation times that are allowed through our tablet program.

All volunteers for ALL programs will be stopped until such time that it is deemed safe to continue.  We will remain in close contact with state and federal officials to make an informed decision that is safe for all.

This action is being conducted out of an overabundance of caution.  There has been no indication that there has been any exposure to the COVID-19 Coronavirus or Influenza within this facility.

We appreciate your patience at this time and thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Chris Brackett

Superintendent

Strafford County Department of Corrections

PRESS RELEASE

April 3, 2020

Over the last several days, Governor Chris Sununu and State Epidemiologist, Dr. Benjamin Chan, Department of Health and Human Services, have advised the media/press of clusters of COVID-19 showing up in group living facilities. The Governor and Dr. Chan refused to name the facilities, indicating that it is the individual facility’s obligation to do so.

In Strafford County, we have taken great measures to protect our nursing home residents, detainees/inmates at the House of Corrections, and our employees. These measures include following all Federal and State recommended infection precautions and consist of employee screening prior to entering the work place, the use of masks and other preventative gear (PPE) beyond the basic recommendations, and good hand sanitizing. To date, we have had no cases of COVID-19 for Riverside Rest Home residents or House of Corrections detainees/inmates.

In order to offer full disclosure to the public, and to alleviate the concerns for the unknown from families and staff, we are pledging to immediately release numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 of our residents and/or detainees/inmates. The information will not include specific names, but will include general methods of treatment and the status of the resident and/or detainee/inmate.

Please remember to keep all employees who are working hard to keep you and those they serve safe during these challenging times in your thoughts and prayers.

We are in this together and we will get through this together.

                                                       Strafford County Commissioners

                                                          George Maglaras, Chairman

                                                          Robert J. Watson

                                                          Deanna S. Rollo, Clerk

IMPORTANT!

NOTICE OF BUILDING CLOSURE

EFFECTIVE TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the Strafford County Courthouse will be closed to the public, with the following exceptions:

• Individuals who need to do business with Circuit and Superior Court clerk’s offices;

• Individuals involved in court hearings permitted by the New Hampshire Supreme Court Order dated March 16, 2020; and

• Individuals with pre-approved business with County or State personnel.

For those entering the Courthouse, a brief survey will be conducted to ensure the health and safety of yourself and personnel.

All essential State and County personnel will be allowed into the building to conduct business. Please be supportive and patient as we work together to fight this pandemic and keep our personnel safe. We thank you in advance for your support and cooperation.

Based on the potential devastating effects of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), we are taking all steps suggested by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to deter the disease’s progress. Strafford County’s Team has been working diligently and the closure of the Courthouse was determined the best course of action to continue to protect staff from the likely spread of the Corona virus (Covid-19).

                                                                        Raymond F. Bower

                                                                        Raymond F. Bower

                                                                        County Administrator