IDOC facilities on lockdown amid outbreak of illness with 'flu-like symptoms'

ABC News ^ | Thursday, February 13, 2020 | ABC News

[Raebie]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Two Illinois Department of Corrections facilities are locked down because inmates are sick.

The facilities are Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center in East St. Louis and Robinson Correctional Center in Robinson, Ill., near the Indiana border, about 240 miles south of Chicago.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman told the I-Team about 60 inmates at Southwestern have flu-like symptoms.

In an effort to contain the virus, visits, phone calls and commissary operations are temporarily suspended, but staffing has not been affected.

"We are committed to ensuring the health of the men and women in our custody, and daily medical services are being provided at both facilities," the spokeswoman said.

[Raebie]

ping

[AnthonySoprano]

.
Epstein looks forward to dying there.

‘

[DannyTN]

So test them for the flu already.

If it’s not the flu then dig deeper.

[datura]

Have any corrections personnel been to China lately? Or get packages from there?

[Ancesthntr]

It is probably just the flu, and some fairly simple tests can either confirm that or not. If not, other tests can be done. I HIGHLY doubt that this is corona virus. People get sick ALL the time, especially in an enclosed environment like a prison.

[Vermont Lt]

It would be a roundabout trip for them to have the COVid19 there. If they could tie it to someone on a trip to China, that would be scary, but it is not likely.

[null and void]

This one probably really is "just the flu"...

Bring Out Your Dead

Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.

The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.

So far the false positive rate is 100%.

At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.

*sigh* Such is life, and death...

If a quarantine saves just one child's life, it's worth it.

[jocon307]

Hmmm. Could be bad. Actually came home from work today myself because I just don’t feel great. Hope me and the Illinois Dept. of Corrections are all just being neurotic!

[mewzilla]

Betcha it’s really Norwalk...

[mewzilla]

From 2012, same state, similar headline...

Stateville Prison Laid Low by Flu-Like Virus

It was noro, which is not a flu virus.

[Raebie]

I’m not saying it’s the flu. Just posted the article.

[Ellendra]

Given how easily things can be smuggled into prisons, how could anyone be sure?

[bgill]

Cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze. That’s a great way to get out of work duty.

[Cold Heart]

COVid19 is the politically correct name for the Wuhan flu.

[AppyPappy]

Yeah, the flu is going around

[Grampa Dave]

Norovirus | About Norovirus | CDCwww.cdc.gov

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. Norovirus spreads easily! People with norovirus illness can shed billions of norovirus particles. And only a few virus particles can make other people sick.

I have had this crap twice in 2 years.

Two summers ago, it was thriving in those of us over 60.

Since Thanksgiving, a lot of our west coast and midwest relatives and friends out here have had this gi crud for 2-3 days.

We have nicknamed it the Comcast/AT&T/Verizon virus because people who have had no physical contact with, only by phone or texting, have gotten this awful virus.

[trebb]

99.93% odds are it’s regular Flu or bad colds...

[airborne]

I’d be curious to know how many Freepers have gotten the flu shot and how many have not.

And how many have gotten the flu and how many have not.

I got a flu shot and have not gotten the flu. So there’s that.

[MD Expat in PA]

It was noro, which is not a flu virus.

Yes, and I find that confusion annoying. Norovirus causes diarrhea and vomiting. Influenza is a respiratory illness. Norovirus you are typically ill 1 – 3 days. Influenza you are lucky if it lasts only 5 – 7 days.