News

Released: January 13, 2022 - Thursday, 03:40 PM

Jail COVID Outbreak

Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 12-26-21Place of Occurrence: County JailVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: N/AThe Sheriff’s Office is releasing information regarding a COVID-related outbreak at the County Jail. It began on December 26, 2021, and currently 59 inmates and 23 custody personnel have tested positive. This surge in COVID-19 cases is similar to what the community, the state and the nation are experiencing at this time. No inmates have been hospitalized for COVID-related issues during this time and most symptoms are reported as mild.
Custody staff is working with our Wellpath healthcare partners as well as County Public Health to mitigate the spread of COVID in the Jail. Among the measures being taken:
*Testing of all inmates as they enter the Jail
*Offering vaccinations to the inmate population and staff
*Medical isolation for any inmate testing positive
*Quarantining those initially housed in the Jail and those who have been exposed
*Offering video visitation and Video Court to inmates, as well as additional self-guided programs
*Reducing the number of non-essential workers, volunteers and visitors coming into the jail to lower the risk of contamination
*Mandatory use of masks for staff, masks provided to inmates and required during movement.
*Weekly testing of all staff regardless of vaccination status, which exceeds the minimum requirements ordered by the state