COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED AT WASHINGTON CO. JAIL
Updated Story @ 4:20 p.m.: Additional information has been released about the COVID-19 cases confirmed at the Washington County Sheriff's Office and County Jail.
Late this (Thursday) morning, Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak released a form detailing the number of inmates and jailors with active positive test confirmation. The form, dated July 15th, stated there are three inmates that have tested positive, and four more that are pending test results.
Hanak added separately that two of those inmates are active cases, with another currently being treated offsite for the virus. Two jailors previously tested positive, but they have both recovered and are back at work. Seven inmates are not experiencing any symptoms, but are being isolated as a precautionary measure for 14 days. There have been no deaths attributed to the virus.
Hanak said the Sheriff’s Office consults almost daily with Washington County Health Authority Dr. William Loesch and Jail Medical Director Dr. Stuart Yoffe on a variety of COVID-19 concerns. He said their experience and knowledge about medical issues is “the best asset” available to the Sheriff’s Office, adding that with the jail being the county’s “greatest liability”, it will “continue to do everything humanly possible to reduce the spread of this virus” at the Sheriff’s Office and jail.
KWHI was able to speak with Dr. Yoffe this morning. He said he is very proud of what the Sheriff’s Office has done and how they have been proactive in protecting everyone in the jail. Dr. Yoffe said they are trying to prevent any prisoners from entering the jail with active cases. They are taking the temperature of anyone who comes into the jail, and sending anyone with COVID-19 like symptoms to the hospital to be evaluated. Those inmates that have contracted the virus are isolated, evaluated and tested regularly.
Dr. Yoffe said Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Brenham has been a great help as inmates can be taken to the hospital’s drive through clinic for testing. This keeps inmates and employees from having to be exposed to the ER. The inmates with positive cases in the jail are being treated with the appropriate medication and protocol for the disease. Dr. Yoffe said just like everyone else, he is waiting on the development of a vaccine.
Original Story @ 5:39 a.m.: The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the County Jail now have cases of COVID-19.
Washington County Judge John Durrenberger has confirmed to KWHI News that there are cases of COVID-19 at the jail. Durrenberger said he doesn’t have any specific information other than that one of the first positive cases in a county employee was a patrol deputy. When asked about cases in his department and how they are being handled, Sheriff Otto Hanak had very little comment. He did say “Any COVID-19 related concerns to an immediate family of any inmate incarcerated in the Washington County Jail is addressed without delay while at the same time abiding by the federal laws and state guidelines.” When pressed for more specifics on what is being done to control the spread, Hanak said he could not comment further on this medical matter. He said “We have a medical doctor on staff who is overseeing all medical needs in the jail."
County Commissioner Joy Fuchs, who assists with medical issues for the County but is not connected to matters concerning jail medicine, said she would like to help, but the Sheriff doesn’t tell her much. Fuchs said the most accurate information would come from Sheriff Hanak or someone else at the Sheriff’s Office. KWHI has reached out to Chief Deputy Jay Petrash and Jail Captain Eric Hensley, but neither has responded. KWHI is attempting to contact Jail Medical Director Dr. Stuart Yoffe to get more information on what is being done to control the spread inside the jail and among the employees. A source has told KWHI that besides inmates in the jail, several deputies and investigators have tested positive for COVID-19.