TJJD staff member at Giddings State School tests positive for COVID-19

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas Juvenile Justice Department staff member is the first to test positive for COVID-19 at their secure facilities, says the department.

The employee worked at the Giddings State School, and the department says his job did not involve interaction with youth. TJJD says the employee left work early Monday when he began to feel ill.

“Our focus during this challenging time has been on safety and prevention,” TJJD Executive Director Camille Cain said in a release. “But we also knew that we had to prepare for the possibility of either a staff member or a youth being infected with COVID-19. I am pleased to report that the employee in question is resting well at home, and we will continue to rigorously follow our safety procedures to help prevent any additional spread of the virus.”

TJJD says he had limited interaction with other staff that day and those who had close, direct contact with him are now self-isolating. Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to call the Incident Reporting Center.

All staff at Giddings will be issued masks while on campus and TJJD says at this time, no other employees or youth have reported having symptoms.

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