El Paso County Jail: 2 deputies and 8 inmates test positive for COVID-19

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- As COVID-19 cases rise in El Paso County, there is renewed concern as the virus has once again made its way inside the jail.

"We know the only way COVID is coming in is through our deputies and/or our inmates who are being booked in," said Spokesperson Jackie Kirby.

Tuesday, the sheriff's office reported two deputies who work in the jail tested positive, along with eight inmates. Kirby said this jail is the biggest in the state and they quarantined about 343 inmates.

"The inmates who tested positive, none of them were symptomatic. They were all asymptomatic. So it is very cautious to isolate 5 wards. We've never done that in the jail before," she said.

The results came in Tuesday morning after the inmates got tested so they could be moved to the Department of Corrections to serve the rest of their sentences. Both the inmates and deputies are now recovering.