Imperial County jail inmates in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)-10 inmates and two staff members have tested positive to the coronavirus since the pandemic began, according to the County of Imperial.

On May 4, the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) confirmed eight additional inmates currently housed at the Imperial County Regional Adult Detention Facility tested positive for COVID-19. 

Of the new cases that were confirmed, five were previously housed in the same location as the first two cases reported last week. 

County of Imperial says all COVID-19 positive inmates have been placed in isolation to avoid contact with other inmates and to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.

ICSO continues to follow protocol during the booking process to detect high-risk inmates as they are booked into the system.  

Two Imperial County Jail staff members have also tested positive for COVID-19.  The staff members are currently self-quaratined at their homes and the Sheriff’s Office is working with jail medical staff and the Imperial County Public Health Department to test all inmates and staff members. 

The Sheriff’s Office has hired a professional vendor to properly sanitize the housing unit where the COVID-19 inmates were formally held.  Sanitizing efforts are ongoing at the facility to reduce the chance of spread of COVID-19.