MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WTVF) — An employee of the Shelby County Jail has tested positive for COVID-19. The Shelby County Health Department notified the Sheriff's Office of the positive case Monday.
Officials say the employee has self-quarantined at home, and officials say they are working with the Shelby County Health Department to ensure appropriate follow-up measures are taken for this staff member and detainees.
They say SCSO has been utilizing heightened screening procedures for detainees over the past several weeks. They have also implemented a pre-screening protocol for employees and vendors prior to entering the jail. This screening process includes the completion of a health and travel questionnaire and a temperature reading. Employees and vendors who have recently traveled to Coronavirus epicenters or are symptomatic are denied entry into the jail.
No detainee has tested positive for the virus.
Officials say they've been working to reduce the jail population. There are 2,006 detainees in the Shelby County Jail, which is about 70% of its capacity, and 212 detainees at Jail East, which is about 55% of its capacity.
