Site Logo

Dozens test positive for COVID-19 at Pierce County Jail

Published 1:34 pm Monday, August 23, 2021

A person holds their hand up to a window inside the Pierce County Jail during a protest against police brutality passing by outside the jail, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in downtown Tacoma, Wash., south of Seattle. The protest came a day after at least two people were injured when a Tacoma Police officer responding to a report of a street race drove his car through a crowd of pedestrians that had gathered around him. Several people were knocked to the ground and at least one person was run over. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
1/2
A person holds their hand up to a window inside the Pierce County Jail during a protest against police brutality passing by outside the jail, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in downtown Tacoma, Wash., south of Seattle. The protest came a day after at least two people were injured when a Tacoma Police officer responding to a report of a street race drove his car through a crowd of pedestrians that had gathered around him. Several people were knocked to the ground and at least one person was run over. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
A person holds a hand up to a window inside the Pierce County Jail on Jan. 24 in downtown Tacoma. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)

Associated Press

TACOMA — Up to 35 inmates at the Pierce County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19.

The News Tribune reports over the last few days inmates reported feeling ill and were tested at the jail’s health clinic. By Sunday, 25 to 35 COVID tests came back positive. More tests are pending.

Following a protocol developed last year, jail officials immediately put roughly 180 inmates in quarantine. That’s about one third of the jail’s population, which numbered 548 Sunday.

“We follow isolation and quarantine protocols as advised by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to stem the spread among the individuals in our care,” Sheriff Ed Troyer said.

The outbreak means the jail will only allow people arrested on suspicion of violent crimes to be booked. That includes murder, manslaughter, first-degree assault, rape, child molestation, kidnapping, child assault, domestic violence and possessing explosive devices.

You Might Like