Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter says all the inmates of the Monroe County Jail are now being tested for COVID-19, after it became clear the disease is being transmitted from inmate-to-inmate.
Baxter said in a briefing that they need a clear picture of who is infected so they know what they’re working with. He says despite preventive measures, the virus has spread above and beyond standards called for by federal and state health officials. The sheriff says they hope they can stop the spread with the help of full testing.
In addition to full testing, inmates are being educated on how the virus is transmitted, and testing results are determining where an inmate is housed in the jail. COVID-positive inmates are housed together for 21 days; assumed positives are held together for a 14 day quarantine until they get two “negative” tests in a row.
Inmates with underlying health conditions are being seen two times a day by doctors.
Any staff experiencing symptoms will not report to work and will be tested. Staff are tested on their first day back to work after scheduled days off.