TRENTON – The Mercer County Correction Center today announced eight inmates and four
staff members out of approximately 205 have tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the
facility being designated “outbreak” status by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).
An outbreak is defined as an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected
at a particular time and place, and as a result of the designation, the Correction Center will be
required to take direction from NJDOH and the local health officer.

All inmates who have tested positive have been quarantined to the Medical Social Distance
Unit for observation and treatment, and employees who have tested positive are on leave.
Beginning today, all inmates are being tested for COVID-19 and health officers anticipate a
significant number will come back as positive for COVID-19, as has been the case in
institutions and congregate living quarters statewide and nationally. As with all COVID-19
cases, contact tracing will occur and additional precautionary screenings will be conducted for
all inmates who had been housed on the same unit as the individual testing positive. There
have been no COVID-19 related deaths at the jail.

Since March, visitor restrictions have been in place at the facility. Additionally, the facility
actively screens for fever and respiratory symptoms in all staff and contractors as well as
inmates and individuals coming into the facility at intake.

The jail continues to follow the guidance provided by the New Jersey Department of Health as
it relates to the safety of employees and inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mercer
County Correction Center’s current daily population is approximately 300, and the jail has
capacity for approximately 850. Physical distancing continues to be stressed to employees and
inmates across the facility.