A corrections employee tested positive for COVID-19 last week at the state prison in Lincoln.

A staff member at the Nebraska State Penitentiary tested positive after self-isolating at home for 10 days, the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services announced in a news release last Saturday.

It was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the corrections system. No one else who was in contact with the employee has shown COVID-19 symptoms, the department said in the release.

“Based on community spread and the increased availability of testing, we’ve been preparing for the scenario in which staff members or inmates tested positive for COVID-19,” Director Scott R. Frakes said. “Having staff members in protective masks will help reduce the transmission of the illness through airborne droplets.”

Corrections employees began to wear orange masks – made of a polyester-cotton blend that was manufactured by inmates – last Friday. Staff members are also being screened with a questionnaire as the NDCS waited for a delivery of thermometers.

“The agency placed an initial order for thermometers several weeks ago which was stolen during delivery,” Frakes said.