Crime & Safety
Coronavirus Hits Cook County Jail: Sheriff
Two Cook County Jail detainees are in isolation after testing positive for new coronavirus, the sheriff says.
COOK COUNTY, IL — Detainees who tested positive for the new coronavirus on Monday are now being held in isolation cells at Cermak Health Services, the medical wing of the Cook County Jail. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the two detainees began showing COVID-19 systems on March 20.
A 42-year-old detainee has been held in custody since late December 2019 after he was ordered held in lieu of 10-percent of $250,000 bail on charges of aggravated DUI. Jail officials said the man was housed in the residential treatment unit when he began presenting symptoms. A Cook County correctional officer working in the residential treatment unit tested positive for COVID-19 and is home in isolation.
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The second detainee, 18, has been in custody since mid-February after he was ordered held without bail on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm. The young man was housed in Division VI at the time he became symptomatic.
"Cermak staff continue to test anyone with flu-like symptoms," Dart said in a news release. "Cermak staff are closely monitoring the detainees on the living units where the individuals who tested positive were housed."
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The entire jail compound continues to undergo deep-cleaning and disinfecting, and officials said all detainees have access to soap and water and have been educated on how to spot and report symptoms of the virus in themselves or others.
Dart said he has implemented measures at the jail to prevent the spread of the new virus, such as suspending detainee visits and creating housing tiers for new inmates where they are observed for seven days for symptoms of coronavirus.
Barracks formerly used for inmate boot camp were readied last week. The barracks will serve as addition isolation housing for detainees if needed. The boot camp is located away from the main jail campus and provides 500 additional beds to relieve pressure on Cermak Hospital.
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