Twelve positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported within the general population at the Lancaster County Jail in the past three days.
At this time, 6 housing units are involved. Jail administration believes that the virus is contained within those housing units, but more testing will be conducted to ensure the health of both inmates and staff. It is unknown how the virus got into the general population at the jail.
Current procedures involve medical screenings for inmates and staff and all inmates and staff are required to wear masks inside the facility. Due to the discovery of these positive cases, the jail went into modified lockdown to minimize potential exposures.
Inmates in the impacted housing areas are let out in small groups to use the phone and shower. Contact visitation and volunteer services will be suspended until further notice. Personal video visitation will be limited in the housing units on lockdown status.
Inmates are screened and held in quarantine for 10 days and released into the general population only if they are symptom free. The 12 inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 are isolating in the jail’s infirmary and have not required hospitalization.
The jail staff is currently equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment and has worked to provide care to those in custody throughout the ongoing pandemic. For more information about Lancaster County please visit the website at www.lancaster.ne.gov or call 402-441-7447.