Third Cook County Jail Detainee Tests Positive For Coronavirus

COOK COUNTY, IL – A third Cook County Jail detainee has tested positive for coronavirus, in addition to two others that have tested positive earlier this week, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office announced. Another correctional officer has also been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

As of Tuesday, a total of 28 detainees have been tested for COVID-19 after showing flu-like symptoms. The most recent confirmed case is a 47-year-old man who is being treated at a local hospital. The sheriff’s office said the man has been in custody since October 2018 for residential burglary. One detainee has tested negative for coronavirus, and 24 have pending test results. Additionally, two Cook County correctional officers have been confirmed positive with COVID-19.

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Cermak Health Services staff are closely monitoring detainees in the living units where these individuals were housed. Those who are symptomatic will be tested. The entire jail compound continues to undergo deep-cleaning and disinfecting. 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.

The much-feared virus outbreak through the Cook County Jail’s housing tiers happen as the first court-ordered bond reviews began Monday, when Judge LeRoy K. Martin ordered a case-by-case review to clear a broad number of detainees. The boot camp barracks has also been converted into a 500-bed sick bay to treat COVID-19 cases.

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