An U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement staff member who works at the Aurora detention facility tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
The staff member worked in the administrative offices at the facility, owned and operated by private prison company GEO Group, and had no direct contact with detainees, said an ICE spokesperson who refused to be named because she said she didn’t have permission from her boss.
The staff member had not been to work for a week, the spokesperson said. None of the detainees have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, but the spokesperson refused to say whether any of the detainees had been tested or whether the facility had access to tests. The positive diagnosis was first reported by Westword.
The immigration court located inside the 1,532-bed detention facility will be closed Thursday. The court has remained open while other immigration courts for people not in custody have closed.
Last week, 10 people detained at the facility were isolated after possible exposure to the coronavirus. Family visitation has been stopped and attorneys visiting their clients or appearing in court are required to wear protective gear like masks to enter the facility.
