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Buncombe County Detention Center now using UV technology to disinfect cells in minutes


Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has purchased a $36,000 machine which uses UV light to kill bacteria, germs and viruses, and the machine can disinfect rooms in minutes. Buncombe County Detention Center staff are currently being trained on how to use it. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office has purchased a $36,000 machine which uses UV light to kill bacteria, germs and viruses, and the machine can disinfect rooms in minutes. Buncombe County Detention Center staff are currently being trained on how to use it. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
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Despite top-notch security at jails across North Carolina, COVID-19 is making its way inside.

“One is one too many for me," said Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller about COVID-19 cases. "We have to do everything we can to keep our folks safe."

At the Buncombe County Detention Center spread has been limited. As of Friday, Jan. 29, one inmate is in quarantine after entering the center with the coronavirus.

The detention center did face a COVID-19 cluster among staff and detainees from December to January, but since then has seen limited and isolated cases.

New technology recently purchased by the sheriff’s office is expected to minimize chances of COVID-19 transmission.

“It’s impressive,” Miller said of the "rZero" UVC light machine.

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The $36,000 machine uses UV light to kill germs and viruses, and the machine can disinfect rooms in minutes. It uses UV light with the highest energy level and is the most effective at killing germs -- UV-C -- to attack surfaces and airborne pathogens, and it's able to disinfect 1,000 square feet in a matter of seven minutes.

Staff are currently being trained on how to use it.

“When COVID came out, we had to do some things differently in terms of how we process people," Miller said. "The next question to come is, 'Once it is in our facility, how to do we now combat that? How do we keep it clean?’ That really lead us to where we are now."

He said the biggest challenge in recent months has been when individuals enter the facility for intake. If someone comes in positive with the virus, staff need to quickly disinfect the area.

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“This will be a tool that will assist us in keeping the whole facility clean, so when they come in, we will utilize that," Miller said.

The sheriff’s office said the machine will also be used long after COVID-19 to continue cleaning the facility.

They expect it to also be used in courtrooms.

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