HACKENSACK, N.J. – Sheriff Anthony Cureton has directed the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office to provide statistical information related to COVID-19 on a weekly basis for the duration of the stay-at-home order issued by County and State Officials to keep the general public informed about the agency’s response to the ongoing pandemic.

Updates since April 14

Several staff members have been medically cleared to return to work after previously testing positive or quarantining at home for being in close contact with someone COVID-19 positive.

The I.C.E. detainee who tested positive for COVID-19 has recovered and has been medically cleared to return to the general population of the Bergen County Jail.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has signed a purchase order with Keefe Commissary to provide free commissary benefits to all county inmates and I.C.E. detainees in custody at the Bergen County Jail. Each individual will be receiving a “food pack” and “snack pack” free of charge. “The donation of these care packages of food will likely help reduce some of the anxieties experienced during this unprecedented health crisis” stated BCSO Interim Director of Behavior Health Dr. Diana Riccioli.

On Monday morning, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office received a shipment of supplies from Bergen County’s Office of Emergency Management including N-95 masks, surgical masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, and Clorox Wipes. The Sheriff’s Office also received several cases of disinfectant supplies and Personal Protection Equipment complements of civic groups and local businesses to supplement the BCSO supply stock over the course of the last week.

Two weeks ago, the Sheriff’s Office purchased three electric and one gas powered foggers to increase disinfectant capacity throughout the agency. These tools are being used to sanitize units in the jail and patrol vehicles after each shift.

“Like many departments across the tristate region, COVID-19 has affected our agency personally, impacting several of our officers, medical staff, and civilian personnel. For all those who have experienced this virus directly or through their loved ones, I am praying for a full and swift recovery. While most Bergen County residents are able to safely socially distance from home, it is a difficult and stressful time for first responders who have to come to work every day knowing that they are putting their health and wellness on the line. I can’t thank the brave men and women of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office enough for their outstanding professionalism throughout this entire crisis. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office is one big family and we will get through this together” stated Sheriff Anthony Cureton.

BSCO Staff Currently COVID-19 Positive

BCSO Staff in Quarantine

*Quarantine is defined as individuals who may have had close contact of ten minutes or more with an individual who tested positive.

BCSO Staff Returning to Work

*Includes staff medically cleared after previously testing positive and staff returning from quarantine after having close contact with an individual who tested positive.

Bergen County Jail Population Currently COVID-19 Positive

The three positive cases include:

40-year-old Salvadorian national in ICE custody at the BCJ, tested on Thursday, March 26 – has since recovered and been medically cleared to return to general population

54-year-old county inmate, tested on Saturday, March 28

31-year-old Mexican national in ICE detainee, tested on Monday, March 23 – was released on Thursday, March 26 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Bergen County Jail Population Currently Monitored in Isolation

County Inmates and I.C.E. Detainees are monitored in isolation for possessing one or more of the following symptoms – upper respiratory infection, body aches, fatigue, headache, loss of taste and smell. The Bergen County Jail medical staff monitors a wide range of symptoms as this virus manifests differently from one person to another.

Jail Population Releases

Jail Population