Sheriff's Deputy, Jail Nurse Each Have Coronavirus

JOLIET, IL — Last week, the city of Joliet announced that an investigator at the Joliet Police Department tested positive for the new coronavirus and is now home recovering. On Monday, the Will County Sheriff's Office revealed that one of its deputies assigned to the gang suppression unit has the coronavirus, making him the first confirmed case at the sheriff's department.

Additionally, one of the administrative nurses at the Will County Jail has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, Sheriff Mike Kelley said in his news release.

The sheriff's deputy started exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus about two weeks ago and he has remained home from work ever since. That deputy, along with three other deputies and one officer from another agency were involved in a drug raid in late March and everyone was in close proximity to each other, according to the Will County sheriff.

"It is believed that it was during that seizure that the deputy contracted the virus," Kelley's news release stated. "The other officers have been tested, are at home, and awaiting test results. The officer from the outside agency is experiencing symptoms; the three sheriff’s deputies are currently symptom-free."

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Also on Monday, the sheriff said he learned an administrative nurse who works for Wellpath, the jail's medical provider, tested positive for the coronavirus.

The nurse, the sheriff said, had no significant contact with corrections guards nor with the inmates.

She started feeling ill last Thursday and is now staying home recovering, Kelley indicated.

"Sheriff Kelley, his command staff, and employees of the Sheriff’s Office, are troubled by this news but remain vigilant and are closely monitoring and following recommended state and federal guidelines during this outbreak as they continue to keep our communities safe," the news release indicated.

Related:

• Illinois Coronavirus Update April 5: More than 12,000 IL Cases
• Stateville Inmate Dies At Morris Hospital
• Temporary Joliet Hospitals? City IDs These 3 Sites