A recent spike in COVID-19 cases at the Aurora Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Facility has sparked concern in the local community.

The Aurora Detention Center, run by GEO Group, had 37 active cases and 73 total cases among detainees Sunday, according to ICE data. Total cases include detainees who have recovered or are no longer in ICE custody.

Of these cases, 19 were reported to the Aurora City Council Friday.

“This outbreak underscores the need for greater oversight at this facility and the release of those detained in light of COVID-19,” said Alison Coombs, Aurora City Council member.

“Safety should be the number one priority at all times, and this pandemic presents a clear danger to health and safety of those who are at GEO.”

Since February, ICE has reported 6,387 total COVID-19 cases among its 19,742 detainee population. Of those cases, 677 are active and 8 resulted in death.

ICE has been criticized for its reporting as the agency only tracks deaths that take place within its custody, excluding COVID-19 deaths that happen once the detainee is released or deported.

The Aurora Detention Center has no reported COVID-19 deaths, according to ICE.

ICE reported 198 COVID-19 cases among employees, including 45 cases for employees working in detention facilities. Two employees at the Aurora Detention Facility tested positive for COVID-19 since February, ICE said.

Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) said it has been pushing for oversight increase at the Aurora Detention Facility for years.

“The Aurora GEO facility continues to show that they are incapable of keeping those in our community who are detained safe,” said COPA Executive Director Lizeth Chacón.

Chacón said COPA has received numerous reports about medical neglect within the Aurora Detention Facility.

“We demand GEO to release as many folks as possible on humanitarian parole and ensure that those who are sick receive the proper medical care,” Chacón said.

In June, ICE reported it had released at least 700 people nationally that were determined to be medically vulnerable to COVID-19.

Since July, the overall detainee population of ICE detention centers has decreased by over 2,000, according to ICE data.

“We are confident that our officers can properly and safely carry out operations,” ICE said in a September statement.

“In our day-to-day operations, the focus is, as it has always been, on public safety threats and those subject to mandatory detention while keeping in mind the safety and well-being of all involved.”

On its website, ICE said it has taken substantial action to combat COVID-19.

Precautions include personal protective equipment for front-line operators, remote work for agency personnel, temperature checks before detainees are released and isolation among detainees when needed.

Following national criticism, ICE began offering voluntary COVID-19 tests in June to all people held at detention facilities in Aurora and Tacoma, Washington. It later expanded testing to other locations.