The Safety of Healthcare During the COVID-19 Outbreak at San Quentin

Many people have been asking how the COVID-19 outbreak at San Quentin is affecting MarinHealth. The number of positive cases from the prison is alarming, but we want you to know that a coordinated plan is in place to handle patient care and mitigate risk.

Although the prison is located in Marin, MarinHealth Medical Center is not the sole destination for patients from San Quentin. Hospitals throughout the Bay Area are receiving inmate patients, with the majority of them being treated outside of our county. Of the 66 inmates who have been admitted to local hospitals, only 4 have been admitted at MarinHealth. We are collaborating with prison authorities as well as local and state government officials about upgrading San Quentin’s onsite medical capabilities, and the distribution of patients regionally.

While the number of COVID-19 patients in our hospital has been increasing, we remain confident in our ability to manage the situation.

Rest assured, MarinHealth is well equipped to safely handle and treat COVID-19 patients from the prison—and from the general community. We follow rigorous infection prevention and control protocols at every step, from arrival to admission and beyond. San Quentin patients are accompanied by guards and supervised at all times. Of course, they receive the same excellent care we are proud to deliver to every patient at MarinHealth.

We thank everyone for staying the course as the pandemic continues: please practice appropriate precautions, including masking, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing. It is up to all of us to keep our community well.

Watch an update on the situation from Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer.