More Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail inmates tested positive for the coronavirus, jail officials said in an email Thursday.
This news comes a week after an inmate and jail staff member tested positive for the virus.
“We have been fortunate here at VPRJ throughout much of this pandemic, however, our posture in regards to Covid-19 has always been, ‘Not if, but when,'” Col. Roy Witham, the jail’s superintendent, said in a prepared statement. “I take this development seriously, and immediately consulted with our partners at the Peninsula Health District and coordinated today’s testing.”
The jail had tested inmates who were in close contact with the first inmate who tested positive, including those with symptoms in the same housing unit as a precaution with help from the Peninsula Health District and the Virginia Department of Health, according to the jail’s news release.
Out of the inmates who tested positive, one has “mild symptoms of illness” and seven are asymptomatic.
It’s unclear exactly what symptoms the inmates are experiencing and the jail did not elaborate.
“We remain prepared to test further as required, and per guidance of the Peninsula Health District, the Virginia Department of Health, and our staff physician,” Witham said. “As we have since early March when this pandemic began, I will make every effort to keep the public and families of those who are incarcerated informed on our status.”
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