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Sheriff's Office confirms more than a hundred COVID-19 cases in Twin Falls County Jail

Posted at 12:27 PM, Jul 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-29 16:25:26-04

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office has confirmed more COVID-19 cases in the Twin Falls County Jail.

The Sheriff's Office says 123 inmates have now tested positive, and 8 staff have tested positive--although the staff members are all asymptomatic.

The Sheriff's Office hasn't released a new number of symptomatic inmates.

As Idaho News 6 has reported, the first inmate tested positive on July 16. The inmate was immediately placed in isolation and the sheriff's officer ordered testing of all inmates and staff in the jail.

The sheriff's office says a state of overcrowding in the jail has made it a challenge to rehouse or move inmates.

All inmates and staff are being required to follow social distancing protocols and wear face masks. The sheriff's office says medical staff is actively monitoring everyone involved, including daily temperature checks.

The sheriff's office says they are "working closely with our prosecutors and judges as they monitor the appropriateness of bonds, and consider releases for those accused of minor and non-violent crimes."