More than 100 test positive for COVID-19 at Western Tidewater Regional Jail

Published 8:49 pm Saturday, October 3, 2020

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More than 100 inmates, staff and contractors at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a news release posted to the jail’s website, it said 109 of the 756 inmates at the jail have tested positive for COVID-19. and have been isolated from the rest of the jail population. Two inmates received inconclusive test results and will be retested. Six of the 180 staff and contractors employed at the jail tested positive.

“In an abundance of caution, the jail facility remains on a lockdown status,” the release stated. “The vast majority of COVID positive offender and staff were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.”

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No inmates or staff members are currently being hospitalized.

The jail had its first inmate test positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 8, and, once additional inmates tested positive, it coordinated testing with the Western Tidewater Health District to test all staff and inmates Sept. 30, with results coming back Oct. 3.

After the testing, the jail was placed on lockdown status while it awaited the results, and it remains on lockdown status “in an abundance of caution.”

Affected employees were placed on emergency paid leave, and all inmates are being treated by the jail’s medical staff.

“Should any offender require care beyond that of the on-site medical staff, they will be transferred to the hospital,” the jail stated.