Coeur d’Alene, ID: This morning the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office received results from some Covid-19 tests that were completed last week. There are currently 28 total Covid-19 positive results out of an inmate population of 358. Twenty-three were inmates and 5 were staff. The first positive test result was Wednesday the 5th of August. There were an additional 3 positive results on Friday the 7th and an additional 23 were reported this morning. The vast majority of those testing positive are asymptomatic and all those who tested positive are being quarantined.
Medical staff at the jail are conducting phased testing of inmates and staff, based on exposure and symptoms. All jail staff are required to wear face masks and proper PPE when inside the facility and any officers or visitors are also required to wear a face covering when entering the secured parts of the jail. The facility is also sanitized regularly based on guidelines from the CDC. Additionally, all arrestees are screened prior to entering the facility by onsite medical personnel.
The safety of the inmates and staff are our first priority and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is taking every step necessary to stop any further spread of the Covid-19 Virus within the facility.
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger
By: Lt. Ryan Higgins