On Monday, 11 detainees in the Jackson County jail showed symptoms of COVID-19 and were offered to get tested. Of the ten people who agreed, all ten tested positive.
The Sheriff’s office says all the infected people are quarantining and being treated inside the jail.
Staff is working on contact tracing to keep the spread at a minimum and potentially find a source. Just last month, 23 staff members at the jail tested positive for the virus, including Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler.
Many community members commented on the announcement, posted to the sheriff office’s Facebook page, blaming jail staff for what they called irresponsible safety practices.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to requests for comment.
