SAN JOSE – Authorities on Friday confirmed a youth at Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall has tested positive for COVID-19.
The youth was admitted to the facility about two weeks ago, the county probation department said in a statement.
“Given the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community, the County of Santa Clara Probation Department had been planning for the possibility that a youth or staff member in Juvenile Hall might test positive, and had been following best practices for evaluating the youth following admission to our juvenile detention facilities,” the department said.
Those best practices included not placing the youth with the general population, the department said.
After testing positive, the youth was moved to a medical clinic within the facility, the department said.
The department said all youths and staff members who had “significant contact” with the youth are being tested. None of the tests completed so far have come back positive.
“While we are saddened that a youth in our care tested positive for COVID-19, we assure you that this youth and other youths are receiving excellent health care and the youth is doing well,” the department said.
Total cases in the county grew by 16 on Friday, bringing the total to 2,179, according to data compiled by this news organization. The death toll also increased to 113, with two new deaths.
