WASHINGTON CO. JAIL SEEING INCREASE IN COVID-19 CASES
COVID-19 cases continue to increase at the Washington County Jail.
Data from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) shows that, as of Tuesday, 11 inmates at the jail have tested positive for the virus, with one inmate currently being treated offsite. Twelve inmates, according to the TCJS, are being quarantined. Meanwhile, three jailors have tested positive, with one jailor quarantined pending test results.
Data from July 15th indicated there were three inmates and one jailor with active positive test confirmation, with seven inmates under quarantine. There have been no deaths attributed to the virus.
Sheriff Otto Hanak told KWHI earlier this month that the Sheriff’s Office visits almost daily with Washington County Health Authority Dr. William Loesch and Jail Medical Director Dr. Stuart Yoffe to discuss 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.
Dr. Yoffe also spoke with KWHI earlier this month, saying he is very proud of how proactive the Sheriff’s Office has been in protecting inmates and staff members at the jail. He said the Sheriff’s Office is trying to prevent anyone with active cases from entering the jail, takes the temperature of anyone who comes inside, and sends anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms to the hospital to be evaluated. Inmates that have contracted the virus are isolated, evaluated, and tested regularly.
Dr. Yoffe said Baylor Scott and White has been a great help, as inmates can be taken to the hospital’s drive-thru clinic for testing, preventing instances of exposure in the emergency room. He said inmates with positive cases in the jail are being treated with the appropriate medication and protocols.