Inmate cases stand at 70 after nearly 200 were recorded throughout July
An outbreak of COVID-19 in Henrico County’s Jail West appears to be waning as the total number of inmates testing positive dropped to 70 as of today. A total of 198 inmates had tested positive since early this month, with few exhibiting symptoms of infection.
The Sheriff’s Office was monitoring 168 cases before clearing 98 this morning after inmates had tested negative twice and been free of symptoms for at least 14 days.
“We continue to work aggressively to contain this outbreak and are encouraged that our positive cases continue to trend downward,” Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory said. “We have worked closely with Henrico County and the Virginia Department of Health to implement an aggressive testing regimen and have followed safety protocols to separate and isolate inmates to prevent further spread of the virus.”
The outbreak surfaced July 5, when three inmates at Jail West tested positive after exhibiting mild symptoms.
Since then, 1,311 inmates have been tested at Jail West and Jail East. Nearly all of the positive cases have occurred at Jail West. Two inmates at Jail East who tested positive were transferred to Jail West and placed under quarantine.
In addition, 167 jail staff have been tested. Seven were confirmed positive and are quarantining at home with only mild symptoms.
A total of 19 inmates who tested positive were released after having completed their sentences. Those individuals were provided information from the Virginia Department of Health on how to protect themselves and prevent further spread of the virus, Gregory said.
For more information, former inmates or family members of current inmates may contact the Sheriff’s Office at 501-4570 or [email protected].
Henrico currently has 1,152 inmates, with 620 at Jail West and 532 at Jail East.
