This week, several people assigned to the San Diego Central Jail (SDCJ), George Bailey Detention Facility (GBDF) and East Mesa Reentry Facility (EMRF) reported to sick call with flu-like symptoms. They were tested and immediately isolated. The housing units where the inmates came from were placed in quarantine. It was later determined the inmates tested positive for COVID-19.
Following contact tracing, 369 inmates were tested due to potential exposure. The result of the tests found 73 positive cases and 296 negative cases. Additional testing was done in nearby housing units as a precaution. Many of those test results are still pending. The positive cases were checked for symptoms and housed appropriately. The vast majority are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. One positive inmate from this incident is currently at a local hospital receiving care.
Based on these developments, the Detention Services Bureau has returned to a more restrictive environment. This is being done to protect the health of inmates and staff. All visits will not be allowed at San Diego County Jails starting Friday, August 13. Updates regarding in-person and video visitation will be posted on our website www.sdsheriff.gov.
In each COVID-19 positive case, a thorough contact investigation is conducted to identify inmates and staff who may have been exposed. Those who test positive are isolated for a minimum of 14 days. If that person is in our custody, they are monitored by Sheriff’s medical staff. Legally required release dates are not extended based on positive or pending COVID-19 test results. Those released prior to results being available are followed up with by the County Department of Public Health.
As our nation continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheriff’s Department will evaluate any key information learned through contact investigations and adjust accordingly. Existing practices at our intake facilities allow for the accommodation of symptomatic inmates at the time of booking.
Our Sheriff’s Medical Services Division is working diligently to educate and encourage those in our custody to get vaccinated. The vaccine is available to everyone. To date, our medical staff has offered the vaccine to 13,627 individuals. 9,239 refused and 4,388 have accepted a combination of first and second doses.
We are prepared to face the challenges we face to keep COVID-19 from entering our county jails and have taken immediate action to safeguard the lives of people in our custody and those who work in our facilities.
As previously mentioned, continuing measures in response to COVID-19 include:
• Vaccines are available to all persons in our custody
• Temperature checks for everyone entering jail facilities
• Daily temperature checks of all inmates in custody
• Increased cleaning and disinfecting
• Education and awareness for the inmates
• Identification and isolation of those with symptoms
• Specific housing units are designated for isolation to separate the sick from the healthy
• Masks for inmates and staff, as well as limiting movement at all jails
• Emphasis on hand washing and good hygiene
• Testing is available for inmates and is conducted at the direction of a medical provider
Our Sheriff’s Medical Services Division is working closely with the County Department of Public Health concerning our ongoing COVID-19 response and clinical trends in support of the contact investigations.
The Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety, security, health and well-being of people in our custody. Visit www.sdsheriff.gov and click on the “COVID-19 Response” slide on our homepage to learn about all the safeguards we have in place to limit the spread of virus, as well as case and vaccination numbers.
