COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has now entered the DeKalb County Jail.
A 35-year old male inmate is undergoing treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital after he tested positive for the virus, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cynthia Williams said. A male employee, 57, also tested positive on Tuesday for the virus while on sick leave. Williams said his job does not bring him into contact with prisoners.
On Monday, Fulton County Jail announced its first case of COVID-19: A man in his 30s who was undergoing treatment for a chronic illness.
DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox said that, upon learning of of the positive tests, individuals who might have had contact with the inmate were isolated.
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A reverse contact investigation is underway to identify who had contact with the sheriff’s office employee. He had been out of the office for nearly two weeks on medical leave.
“Potentially exposed employees are being advised to self-quarantine at home and to seek medical assessments from agency health care resources and private physicians,” Williams said.
Everyone entering the sheriff’s office and jail on Memorial Drive has been required to take a temperature check. Those with a fever are denied entrance, Williams said.
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