Three Escambia County Jail Inmates, 12 Correctional Officers Test Positive For COVID-19

July 2, 2020

Three Escambia County Jail inmates and 12 correctional officers have tested positive for COVID-19.

Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said another 13 correctional officers are awaiting results.

The county said over 30 inmates have been tested over the last four months, and these are the first inmates to test positive.

The three inmates are in a medical unit and are not presenting medical concerns, according to the county. The three units where the inmate were housed are being offered testing and will remain in their units collectively pending the results.

“Our priority remains the safety and health of our inmates and employees,” Powell said. “We have procedures in place for infectious disease whereby we have been separating the population who may have had contact with these inmates to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the jail. These are the first positive cases in the four month span of the pandemic. We ask the public to remain calm and trust that we are following our infectious disease processes to keep inmates and employees as safe as possible.”

The names of the inmates will not be released due to medical privacy laws. Persons with questions about inmates can call (850) 536-9650.

Updated 11:50 a.m. to reflect correctional officer cases not originally revealed by the county.

Comments

5 Responses to “Three Escambia County Jail Inmates, 12 Correctional Officers Test Positive For COVID-19”

  1. Bill on July 3rd, 2020 1:59 am

    Anyone who believes the only 3 inmates part might want to look into that bridge DeSantis is selling.

  2. HuttOn on July 2nd, 2020 10:53 pm

    Prisons do not have new commitments every day and night non stop like the jail does.

  3. Rufus Lowgun on July 2nd, 2020 2:22 pm

    It’s not going to stay at 3 cases, nor will it stay at 12 for the staff.

  4. Resident on July 2nd, 2020 12:02 pm

    >>. Only 3 in 4 months, how does that compare to other corrections facilities?

    The Century prison has had 3 workers positive and ZERO inmates.

  5. Uncle M on July 2nd, 2020 11:44 am

    WOW!! I’m really impressed the medical staff has been diligent on suppressing the spread. Only 3 in 4 months, how does that compare to other corrections facilities?