7 Miami Co. jail officers positive for COVID-19

Public Health workers tested 36 jail employees, 31 inmates on Monday.

Sheriff Dave Duchak confirmed the virus “did not originate in the jail” and he said no one has been hospitalized.

Seven Miami County jail correction officers tested positive last week for COVID-19 after most attended a birthday party in late May, Sheriff Dave Duchak confirmed Monday noting the virus “did not originate in the jail.”

The correction officers were ordered off work and remain out of the workplace, Duchak said, adding, “we got on it early.” None of the seven was hospitalized.

Miami County Public Health is investigating the COVID-19 cases, said Vicky Knisley-Henry of Public Health.

Public Health staff was at the county jails Monday testing staff and inmates who wanted testing. The results of testing were expected within 48 hours.

The county has the downtown

Troy jail and the Incarceration Facility for nonviolent offenders.

“It is believed the virus was spread at the birthday party. To date, all of the infected officers are doing well and recovering at home,” Duchak said. “It should be noted that some of the officers who tested positive remain asymptomatic. All precautions and protocols continue to be followed in both jails.”

Two of the officers began not feeling well within 24 hours of each other and were placed on sick leave, the sheriff said. As staff investigated where the two officers had been in previous days, they learned about the party and others who attended.

Four others were placed on sick leave and told to get tested as well. The seventh positive test was another jail employee who showed symptoms.

The testing Monday was for 31 inmates and 36 staff members. There were 107 inmates in the jails on Monday.