More deputies at El Paso County jail test positive for COVID-19

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that more deputies have tested positive for COVID-19 this week as the county jail continues to grapple with an outbreak of coronavirus.

According to EPCSO, the current number of infected employees is now 16; 14 deputies had lab-confirmed cases within the past 24 hours.

This comes a day after the sheriff's office announced that dozens of inmates at the jail had tested positive for COVID-19. As of Thursday, the number of infected inmates sat at 72.

The sheriff's office says that about 412 employees and 300 inmates have been tested for the coronavirus this week, and anyone who had direct or indirect contact with those who tested positive have been notified.

EPCSO said in a statement that "the threat of further infection will continue to increase over the next several weeks," and added that personal protective equipment will be provided to inmates.

No inmates have had to be hospitalized, the sheriff's office said.