COVID-19 Hits Basic Academy Trainees
June
18, 2020____
At
the Frank Bland Regional Training Center in Devore, California two Basic
Academy trainees showed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and were both tested,
on Monday, June 8, 2020. Tuesday, June 9, 2020, the test results indicated one
of the two tested positive for the virus. Within 48 hours, all 160 trainees
were tested for COVID-19. The Tuesday test results revealed 32 of the trainees
were positive.
The
Basic Academy has suspended in-person training and will conduct at least two
weeks of remote/distance-based learning to allow the students to
self-quarantine.
The
Basic Academy is typically held at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's
Department - Frank Bland Regional Training Center in Devore, it is not a
live-in academy, trainees return home every day. The Basic Academy was already
operating on a modified training curriculum to comply with CDC guidelines. Two
academy sessions are in progress at this time.
The
Senior Class began their training on January 21, 2020, at the training center.
The Junior Class began training March 30, 2020, at an offsite facility. Every
trainee from each of the two sessions, along with all of the academy staff, had
their temperature taken every day.
After
two weeks of normal temperatures and no signs of illness, the Junior Class was
relocated to the training center where the Senior Class was already in session.
Daily temperature checks for all trainees continued, and everyone was required
to wear masks while on the premises. The facility was cleaned and disinfected
throughout the day, and hand sanitizer was provided to each trainee. All, of
the trainees who tested positive for the virus are being monitored by medical
staff, however, most of them have mild to no symptoms. We will continue to
follow the CDC recommended guidelines for the safety and welfare of everyone
involved.
This information was
submitted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff PIO