An additional inmate and San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputies have tested positive for COVID-19, authorities say.
In a press release, officials from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said a patrol agent, two more correctional officers, and an inmate in jail tested positive for the new virus.
This is the first patrol agent in the department to contract the virus.
The patrol officer was evaluated last week after experiencing a cough, stopped working on Wednesday, July 15, and then received positive results on Friday, July 17, sheriff’s officials said.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the patrol officer was wearing a face mask when interacting with the public.
With the help of the SLO County Public Health Department, officials conducted a contact tracing investigation and quarantined affected staff members.
In addition, two other correctional facilities working in the prison tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
This brings the total number of staff members sworn into the SLO. Co. Sheriff’s Office at four.
The sheriff’s first aide tested positive on July 9.
Sheriff’s officials said those deputies developed symptoms after their shifts on July 10 and 11, but wore masks during their interactions with inmates.
Authorities said in a press release: “The housing areas where they worked have been quarantined, monitoring of inmates continues, as well as testing of inmates and staff in accordance with County Public Health recommendations.” .
Another inmate at the county jail also tested positive, bringing the total to three inmates.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the inmate was asymptomatic and was discovered and isolated Sunday after screening everyone in that same housing unit.
So far, more than 300 inmates have been screened for COVID-19, and 50 of those tests have been conducted in the past 24 hours, authorities said.
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