COVID-19 outbreak reported at Pueblo County Jail

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Pueblo County Jail is the latest correctional facility in southern Colorado to announce it's dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, according to an announcement from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Tuesday.

The sheriff's office says Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment notified them about the outbreak on Monday. According to PCSO, 12 employees and four inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus.

PCSO says all of the inmates are in isolation, and anyone in close contact with them is currently in quarantine.

This announcement comes as El Paso County is in the middle of an outbreak at the criminal justice center, and Fremont Correctional Facility is still in the throes of an outbreak that affected hundreds of inmates.

Pueblo County has also seen a large spike of COVID-19 cases, with the 14-day incidence rate climbing into territories that may force further stay at home restrictions.

“Unfortunately, cases of COVID-19 are increasing in our community and, we as part of the community, are not immune to it,” said Pueblo County Sheriff Kirk M. Taylor. “We have been, and we will continue to take precautions and protective measures throughout the sheriff’s office to keep our employees and the inmates healthy."

Taylor said the sheriff's office has a "plan of action" and added that deputies are taking steps to prevent further spread of the virus, including daily screenings for temperature and regular cleaning with disinfectant.