FARMINGTON – More detainees at Davis County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19 as part of an ongoing outbreak, Davis County Sheriff’s officials said.
Since Christmas Day, a total of 40 inmates had tested positive and one employee also positive and isolated. The first prison case was reported on December 18, after which cases have steadily increased at the facility.
Of the 375 inmates in the jail, 83 live in the same pod as the first man to contract the virus, officials said in a previous statement. About 35 inmates reside in the same housing unit as the man and rapid tests showed that 18 more in that unit had tested positive as of Dec. 18 and 17 were negative, some of whom showed symptoms.
All positive inmates are isolated and all exposed inmates are quarantined to prevent spread, according to officials.
“We have been steadfast in our efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus to all of our facilities, taking several precautions and implementing multiple procedures to reduce risk and possible exposure,” said Davis County Sheriff Kelly V. Sparks in a previous statement. “Given the amount of time COVID-19 has been in the community, the fact that this is the first time that those of us in our care and custody have tested positive shows that the steps we have taken are working. At the same time , this incident reminds us that we must all remain vigilant in our preventive and health measures, in the workplace and elsewhere. “
Lauren Bennett