New inmates will receive a COVID-19 test before entering the Schuylkill County Prison effective immediately.

Warden David Wapinsky said Prime Care, the prison’s medical provider, recommended the tests.

“I like the idea. It helps us. It doesn’t keep people in quarantine for those 14 days for no reason other than the COVID scare. It will put our staff at ease,” he said at Wednesday’s prison board meeting.

When entering the sally port, the inmates will receive a rapid test, which provides COVID-19 results in 15 minutes. The test, which is provided by Prime Care, is done by taking a swab of the mouth. If the inmate tests negative, they will still be kept separate from other inmates for 72 hours.

A nasal swab test could be performed on inmates after the 72 hours, but Wapinsky said he didn’t talk to the provider about that yet. He said the tests are highly accurate.

Currently, inmates are isolated for 14 days upon arrival. Prisoners are quarantined for 21 days if they test positive.

By testing inmates upon arrival, it can reduce the triple celling the prison is doing, Wapinsky said.

As of Jan. 11, one employee and 14 inmates have COVID-19. Of that, 13 inmates will finish their quarantine on or before Jan. 19. Wapinsky said no new COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed at the prison in four days.

When asked about the role of the new HVAC system at the prison regarding the virus, Wapinsky said it was installed in late December.

Commissioners approved $1,176,959 for an HVAC upgrade, direct digital controls for the major equipment, a prison intake purge fan and bipolar ionization system within the HVAC units. COVID-19 money paid for the purchase.