Eight corrections employees and six inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Hamilton County Jail after a second round of facility-wide testing, according to a news release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say that the inmates, who were all asymptomatic at the time of testing, are being quarantined from the general population in the jail and are receiving medical care and review from Erlanger Health System.
All employees who tested positive are self-isolating at home, according to the release.
"My staff and I are continuing to work diligently with health department officials and Erlanger personnel to ensure we are providing a safe, healthy environment for our employees and the inmates we are charged to protect," said HCSO Deputy Chief of Corrections Jow Fowler in the statement. "This includes wearing proper personal protective equipment and following established medical best practices and guidelines to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19"
Earlier this week, 15 inmates at the Silverdale Detention Center in Chattanooga also tested positive for COVID-19 and previously the Hamilton County Jail has had one deputy and one inmate, who transferred from COVID-19 hotspot Bledsoe County Correctional Complex, test positive.
In the last round of facility-wide testing done at the jail in early May, all inmates and staff tested negative.
"I would like to reassure the public and those who may have family or friends incarcerated in the jail our personnel are going to great lengths to follow CDC guidelines and sanitize the facility on a consistent basis," Hamilton County sheriff Jim Hammond said in the release. "The Sheriff's Office is continuing to work hand in hand with health department officials and Erlanger medical personnel to safeguard the health of our inmates and personnel due to COVID-19."