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More cases of coronavirus at Sullivan County Jail

Isabel Braverman - Staff Writer
Posted 5/18/20

MONTICELLO — Sheriff Mike Schiff announced during a live town hall on Thursday of last week at the Government Center that more inmates at the county jail had tested positive for COVID-19.

As …

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More cases of coronavirus at Sullivan County Jail

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MONTICELLO — Sheriff Mike Schiff announced during a live town hall on Thursday of last week at the Government Center that more inmates at the county jail had tested positive for COVID-19.

As previously reported in the Democrat, one inmate tested positive on Monday, May 11. Schiff said that 20 inmates who had been living in close proximity to him were then tested. He said on Wednesday of those 20 tested, 17 came back positive.

The remaining 56 inmates at the Sullivan County Jail were then tested on Thursday, May 14. Officials were informed over the weekend that 15 of those inmates were showing positive test results.

That brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Sullivan County Jail to at least 33.

“At this point the Jail remains locked down as a safety precaution,” Schiff said in a press release. “Of the inmates who tested positive, a few are showing mild symptoms while most are showing no symptoms at all.”

According to the press release, the jail has undergone extensive disinfection and a commercial contractor is expected to arrive on Tuesday, May 19 (today) to complete the cleaning process.

“We are working closely with the state Commission on Corrections, Sullivan County Public Health and our emergency management team to contain the virus,” said Schiff. “That includes diverting any new defendants who are committed to the custody of the Sheriff to other jails in the region.”

For security reasons the Sheriff was not at liberty to name those facilities.

Plans are being made to test the corrections officers and civilian staff through an outside medical organization. So far two officers tested positive in early April and have since returned to work. Two additional officers tested positive at the beginning of May and are expected to return to work next week. No one associated with the coronavirus outbreak in the jail has required hospitalization.

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