The Henrico County Jail reports 16 incarcerated people have tested positive for the coronavirus Friday.
The jail first reported an outbreak on July 5th, in which three people incarcerated at Jail West on East Parham Road tested positive after experiencing mild symptoms. On Wednesday Sheriff Alisa Gregory announced that 79 more inmates and six jail staff had tested positive.
Two inmates have been hospitalized with symptoms, but Gregory said they’re in good condition.
“We take the precaution to send them out because unfortunately with COVID, the way we’ve seen it in the community is one minute they’re all good and the next minute it can turn sour,” she said.
Almost 400 inmates have refused testing.
Dr. Melissa Viray, deputy director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts said Wednesday that inmates who refused testing are housed separately from the general population and from inmates who have tested positive.
The health districts are working to pinpoint exactly how the virus came into the facility.
Sheriff Gregory said the jail has reduced its population to about 1,100 inmates from nearly 1,700 last year, but the jail continues to accept new inmates.
