Nearly 100 cases of Covid-19 at Purgatory Correctional Facility

Nearly 100 of about 300 inmates at the Purgatory Correctional Facility in Washington County have now tested positive for the coronavirus  as correctional staff move to test each housing unit.

Chief Deputy Jake Schultz with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office told our partners at ABC4 News jail officials have only two housing units left to test for the virus since the outbreak began on June 20.

The first rounds of re-testing begin on Monday. An additional 113 inmates who may have been exposed to COVID-19 but initially tested negative may be moved out of quarantine.

Deputies confirmed 7 guards and 2 transport officers have tested positive. Correctional staff are now providing a mask to each inmate booked into jail and exchanging the masks twice each week.

Story provided by our news partners at ABC 4 News.