64 more inmates test positive for COVID-19 at El Paso County Jail
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that its jail had 64 more inmates test positive for the coronavirus in the last 24 hours.
The announcement comes after a spokesperson told KRDO that two deputies and eight inmates first tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The latest report brings the total amount of infected inmates to 72.
The sheriff's office said the inmates have been isolated and all people who may have been in contact with them have been notified. A total of 112 staff members were tested Wednesday.
A spokesperson said every employee and inmate will be taken care of and tested for coronavirus next week, but acknowledged that infections may increase over the next several weeks. Deputies will provide personal protective equipment to the inmates.
Deputies reported no inmates have been hospitalized as of Thursday afternoon.
"This current COVID situation is the top priority of Sheriff Elder and the Staff at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office," the department said in a statement. "In March, we put in place emergency operating plans for just this circumstance. We were more than prepared. We will be making significant adjustments to how we operate the facility to combat this outbreak. We will test and care for every employee and inmate, and provide the safest facility possible under these rapidly evolving conditions."
