The Bradley County Jail is in Cleveland, Tenn.CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Since late last week 31 Bradley County Jail inmates have been moved into a dormitory cellblock for treatment of gastritis by the jail’s medical staff, according to the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office.
The first illness occurred late Nov. 28, and over the weekend four inmates were taken to SkyRidge Medical Center for treatment, said Bob Gault, spokesman for the sheriff’s office. Those inmates have recovered and were returned to the jail earlier this week, he said.
Medical personnel report the sick inmates have responded well to treatment, Gault said.
The Bradley County Health Department, the Tennessee Corrections Institute and the state Department of Health are investigating. Shelley White, spokeswoman for the state health department, said officials have confirmed one case of salmonella infection but no specific source for the illness has been identified.
TCI, which establishes minimum standards and provides technical assistance for correctional facilities, contacted the Bradley County Jail in response to a request for information made by the office of state Rep. Eric Watson, R-Cleveland, said Kate Abernathy, spokeswoman for the organization.