COVID-19 outbreak at Aurora ICE facility

AURORA, Colo. (KRDO) -- A report from Representative Jason Crow's office shows an outbreak of COVID cases at a privately-owned Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora.

According to the report, 94 new cases were recorded this week. The report indicates many cases are from new arrivals from the Mexico/U.S. border.

At least one staff member has also tested positive.

In a tweet, Rep. Crow said "we'll continue to demand transparency and higher standards from ICE and GEO, and work to ensure that our federal policies reflect our community values."

A representative of ICE released the following statement regarding the breakout:

The Aurora Contract Detention Facility in Aurora, Colorado has seen a sharp increase in the number of noncitizens being transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody from border facilities resulting in the number of COVID-19 cases increasing among new arrivals to the facility. On-site medical professionals are credited with reducing the risk of further spreading the disease by immediately testing, identifying and isolating the exposed detainees to mitigate the spread of infection, in accordance with CDC guidelines.

ICE and the on-site medical professionals continue to work with the local health department to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 to the community. Medical center staff took the necessary steps to quickly isolate the exposed detainees, provide proper medical care and prevent further spread infection within the facility to detainees already in residence. Preventative steps included early recognition and following the guidelines established by the CDC and the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). 

Alethea Smock
Public Affairs Officer for ICE

According to an ICE spokesperson, the facility screens and tests all new migrants to detect COVID-19, all new arrivals are housed separately from the general population for 14 days after arrival, and they are monitored for COVID-19 symptoms.

The spokesperson went on to say those who test negative and remain symptom-free join the general detained population after the 14-day period, and those who rest positive receive appropriate medical care.

The agency's full response to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic can be found here.

More COVID testing and vaccinations are expected at the facility.