210 Detainees, 60 Employees At Cook County Jail Have Coronavirus

CHICAGO — As of Friday, 210 detainees at Cook County Jail had tested positive for the new coronavirus and 14 have been hospitalized, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Meanwhile, officers, nurses, paramedics and mental health professionals describe conditions at the jail as "unconscionable, reflecting a disregard for human life," according to a letter on their behalf to Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Board President Toni Preckwinkle warning "a public health catastrophe is unfolding on your watch."

At least of 60 employees of the sheriff's office have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. More than 400 detainees have been released in the two weeks since the first two coronavirus cases at the jail were detected, and the jail's overall population has declined by more than 5 percent since the first COVID-19 case in Illinois was announced.

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According to a letter from lawyers for those work at the jail — they said it would "violate our moral duties to stay silent about the grave crisis unfolding at the Jail" — the infection rate at Cook County Jail appears to the highest level of infection of any correctional facility in the nation.

The first-hand reporters we have received from employees at the jail cannot be reconciled with statement that Sheriff Dart has made to various news outlets to assuage public concern. These first-hand reports reflect that Sheriff Dart as well as Cook County Health, which is responsible for the provision of health care at the Jail, have failed to take even basic measure to protect critical public safety and health care personnel, as well as inmates in detention. The failure to take immediate action to comply with Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for detention centers will almost certainly lead to exponentially more COVID-19 infections and preventable lost lives.

The top attorney for the sheriff's office described the missive as "irresponsible and dangerous" and demonstrating a "misunderstanding" of steps being taken to address the coronavirus in the jail.

"Your letter is irresponsible," General Counsel Nick Scouffas said in response. "You, in admitted ignorance, generate unreasonable fear during a viral pandemic instead of solving that fear through informative and complete decisions. In the middle of this crisis, to presume so much with so little support, is dangerous."

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office provided a statement in response to the attorneys' allegations.

"During this unprecedented international pandemic, we have aggressively worked to protect staff and detainees. Our dedicated and brave staff know that and see that every day," it said. "We are fighting on the front lines, and this throw-the-kitchen-sink letter riddled with false allegations does absolutely nothing to help save lives."

On Saturday, Illinois surpassed 10,000 detected coronavirus cases, including nearly 1,500 new confirmed cases and 33 new deaths in the prior 24 hours. The statewide death toll stood at 243 as of the afternoon, according the the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Earlier:
Prosecutors Stop Pursuing Drug Charges Due To Coronavirus Threat
Cook County Public Health Officer Fired Amid Coronavirus Response
300 People Released From Cook County Jail as Coronavirus Spreads
Coronavirus Cases Inside Cook County Jail Soar Into Triple Digits