Jail confirms 2 Tarrant County inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus
Two Tarrant County jail inmates have received positive test results saying they have contracted COVID-19, according to a news release issued Monday by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
The two inmates have been quarantined since they first reported symptoms last week, the release said.
Several other inmates with flu-like symptoms have received negative coronavirus tests results, the release said.
Jail staff instituted mandatory multiple temperature checks daily for food vendor employees, inmates and staff as well as started contact tracing to identify people who may have been in close proximity to the infected inmates, the release said.
Several areas within the jail will remain on quarantine status until all inmates are confirmed COVID-19 free in order to curb the spread of the disease, the release said.
Tarrant County has the 15th largest jail in the United States, according to the release.
As of April 6, the jail population has been reduced by more than 17% from a high of nearly 4,100 inmates in March, according to State District Judge Robb Catalano.
Jail inmates are treated for illnesses on the jail premises, according to Lt. Jennifer Gabbert, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.
Jail staff who come in contact with inmates suspected of being infected with the coronavirus are required to wear personal protective equipment, Gabbert said.
“Staff that are working in the inmate general population areas are allowed to wear PPE if they choose but are not required to at this time,” Gabbert said.
“Staff that work in areas where inmates may possibly have COVID are required to wear PPE anytime they are directly dealing with inmates, such as feeding time or standing by with medical staff, etc. All inmates who could have COVID-19 are in negative air-flow cells pending COVID-19 test results.”
