Cook County Corrections Officer Tests Positive For Coronavirus

COOK COUNTY, IL — A Cook County correctional officer has tested positive for the new coronavirus, Cook County Sheriff’s officials said. The announcement came days after low security risk detainees were released to stem any possible community spread of COVID-19 within Cook County Jail.

The correctional officer had recently worked in the residential treatment unit and Cermak Hospital, is in isolation at home. Video was used to identify anyone who may have come into close contact with the correctional officer. Several staff members were told to stay home, although none were symptomatic, officials said.

While the Chicago Department of Public Health said the employees could come to work if they were asymptomatic, the sheriff’s office told the employees to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. Areas where the correctional officer worked were deep-cleaned.

“Cermak Health Services and the sheriff’s office have been providing comprehensive education to staff on how to reduce chances of exposure and infection, and the office is continually updating communications with staff to include the latest best practices for combating the virus,” according to a news release

Earlier this month, Dart initiated a number of measures at Cook County Jail to prevent the spread of the virus. Detainee social visits were suspended and housing tiers were created for new detainees where they are booked and observed for seven days for symptoms of coronavirus.

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