A female inmate at the Chaffee County Detentions Center has tested positive for COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Chaffee County Detention Center located adjacent to Chaffee County Courthouse on Crestone Avenue in Salida. Photo by Merrell Bergin
Sheriff John Spezze said in a press release that the unidentified female was transported to the Chaffee County Detention Center by Chaffee County Sheriff personnel on Monday, June 22, after it was determined she had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Fremont County with a $10,000 cash-only bond.
Before admittance to the detention facility, Spezze said, COVID-19 protocol was followed and the woman was checked for any symptoms of the coronavirus. At the time she showed no symptoms.
“Due to logistical matters, the jail staff tested the woman for COVID-19 so she could be moved into the general female population,” Spezze explained. “It was for that reason that the positive results were discovered”.
Image Courtesy Chaffee County Sheriff’s Department
Spezze reported that Chaffee County Public Health was immediately contacted in regards to the positive test and “they continue at this point to work closely with our staff so as to ensure the best procedures to follow to care for our population and our staff as well,” he added.
Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom said precautions are underway.
“We are working very closely with the jail to ensure that the inmate remains isolated and that any staff or inmates who were in close contact with the inmate quarantine themselves to the best of their abilities while testing is conducted and until test results are returned,” she said.
Arrangements are underway to test anyone who came into close contact with the female inmate to determine if any exposure to infection and to prevent continued spread. No further details were immediately available.
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