68 inmates at Leon County Detention Facility test positive for coronavirus

LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Leon County Sheriff's Office confirms a total of 68 inmates at the jail have tested positive for coronavirus.

At this time, LCSO says none of the inmates are exhibiting any life-threatening symptoms. All of those inmates are in isolation and will continue to be tested until they test negative twice and are cleared.

Last week, LCSO reported that 21 inmates had tested positive for the virus. Monday's report more than triples the cases reported by LCSO last week.

When an inmate is suspected of having coronavirus, everyone in their pod is moved to a special quarantine pod. Those inmates are then kept in separate cell while testing is done.

During that time, the pod they were moved from is deep cleaned. Once an inmate’s test comes back negative, they are allowed to be put back into the general population.

LCSO has health care workers in place who are checking on and monitoring people who test positive.

If someone needs additional health care support, LCSO says they are taken to the hospital to be treated there.

As a safety precaution, all incoming inmates get tested once they are brought to the jail. Anyone who tests positive is quarantined for 14 days before going into general population.

LCSO is also providing masks to every inmate inside the jail. vAnyone entering the jail is also required to undergo temperature checks.

LCSO wants people to know that they don't get to make the decision on releasing inmates due to COVID-19. That is a decision that goes through the State Attorney’s Office.