Nearly half of all county jail inmates COVID-19 positive

Out of 231 tests administered 104 inmates at the Johnson County jail were COVID-19 positive.

All test results are now back from the mass COVID-19 testing completed of consenting inmates Tuesday, Sheriff Duane Burgess said.

The status of nine inmates housed at the jail currently is unknown because they refused a test.

Though nearly half of the jail population is infected, the majority is asymptomatic, Burgess said. Some inmates have mild symptoms, but none, so far, have developed severe symptoms requiring hospitalization, he said.

Whether showing symptoms or not, all inmates who are positive are being isolated and closely monitored by medical staff at the jail, he said.

“It’s important to remember that the vast majority of them are asymptomatic and the high numbers are simply a result of more testing being done. Many facilities are still reporting zero known infections because there has been no testing done at those locations. The state Health Department officials have advised us the situation at the Johnson County Jail is not unique, it’s just not being tested at other facilities at this time,” according to a statement from Burgess.

Last week, Burgess began efforts to test all inmates at the advice of his medical staff. For him and the staff, taking this step to test all inmates was the responsible thing to do, he said.

“Testing is the reason that our cases are going to be higher (than other jails). Now we know. The inmate knows. And when they are released, they know,” Burgess said.

Going forward, inmates who come into the jail with COVID-19 symptoms will be quarantined and medical staff will determine if a test is needed, Burgess said.

Burgess is not certain if the state will send a bill for the tests. For him safety, not price, was the main consideration when making the decision to test all inmates, Burgess said.

“We were doing it to see where we are at. I’ve got a jail to run and I’ve got to take care of folks,” he said.

On May 13, when it was clear that a large number of positives were likely, Burgess met with county judges, the prosecutor’s office and health officials to make a plan to handle the situation, he said. They discussed ideas to limit inmate movement in and out of the jail and what to do if an inmate becomes seriously ill, Burgess said.

Currently, Burgess is not recommending the release of any more inmates, but will leave that decision to judges and the prosecutor’s office, he said.

Jail staff wear full personal protective equipment in the COVID-19 isolation area, and wear masks in all public areas of the jail, Burgess said. Other steps such as mass deep cleaning via bio-fogging is also being considered, he said.

Despite their challenging working conditions, jail staff members are continuing to report to work and have good morale, Burgess said.

“They are cautious. They are doing their job. I’m not having any resistance to come in. I care about my employees and they care about each other. We are a family,” Burgess said.

Six employees have tested positive, including four jail deputies, one road deputy and one office staff member, Burgess said. The road deputy has already recovered and returned to work, he said.

Office staff members are now working remotely as a precaution. The sheriff’s office and jail are closed to the public until June 1, at which time Burgess will reevaluate the situation.