CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan ordered COVID-19 tests for all inmates at the Chesapeake Correctional Center after 90 inmates tested positive for the virus
The outbreak initially started Nov. 12, when three inmates, six deputies, and two contractors tested positive for coronavirus.
The Chesapeake Sheriff's Office immediately moved the inmates who tested positive to isolation in a medical housing unit.
Others who were near or housed where the inmates were living were tested. Jail officials said as of Nov. 19, the results for 90 of them came back positive for the disease.
The inmates are being quarantined and monitored. The jail outbreak puts its infection rate at about 10%. There are about 985 offenders at the facility.
Officials are working with the Virginia Department of Health to begin testing the entire inmate population and staff members.
The family members of some of the inmates are concerned about their health and safety.
Cindy, whose brother is an inmate at the jail, said she’s in constant communication with him. She said he told her he’s running a high temperature but doesn’t know if he has COVID-19. Cindy said he’s in a separate unit with other inmates because of his pre-existing medical conditions.
“I worry every single day,” said Cindy. “He calls me just crying and crying, and I can’t do anything. I can’t help him.”
Sheriff Jim O’ Sullivan said inmates who test positive will be relocated to another building behind the jail. He said the transfers will happen soon, but he didn’t specify when that would be because of safety and security reasons.
“We were hoping we wouldn’t have to use it, but inevitably we’re gonna have to use it now,” said O’Sullivan.
“The worst thing about this is within a correctional setting, most people are asymptomatic, so when it comes in from the outside and it comes to one inmate, it comes in from one inmate to another.”
O’Sullivan said he can’t confirm where exactly the outbreak began, but he said it most likely came from an asymptomatic deputy or contractor.
Cindy said she feels helpless. She said her brother did not commit a major crime, now she’s worried for his life.
“I understand people have to pay for their crimes, but they should not be sent to their death beds in the Chesapeake City Jail, and that’s like a death sentence because this is something real, COVID is real,” said Cindy.