FARMINGTON – More prisoners in Davis County prison tested positive for COVID-19 as part of an ongoing outbreak, according to Davis County sheriff officials.
By Christmas Day, a total of 40 inmates had a positive test with a positive employee also and in isolation. The first case of the arrest was reported on December 18, after which cases have steadily increased at the facility.
Of about 375 prisoners in prison, 83 live in the same compartment as the first man to contract the virus, officials said in an earlier statement. About 35 inmates live in the same housing unit as the man and rapid tests showed that another 18 in that unit tested positive on December 18, with 17 negative tests, some of which showed symptoms.
All positive inmates are placed in isolation and all exposed inmates are quarantined to prevent spread, according to authorities.
“We have been steadfast in our efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in our facilities, taking a variety of precautions and implementing various procedures to reduce risk and possible exposure,” said Davis County Sheriff Kelly V. Sparks in an earlier statement. . “Given the time that COVID-19 is in the community, the fact that this is the first time that those in our care and custody have tested positive shows that the measures we have taken are working. At the same time, this incident reminds us that we should all remain vigilant in our precautionary and sanitary measures, in the workplace and elsewhere. “
Lauren Bennett