From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — After testing 201 inmates for coronavirus in the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham and the Jefferson County Jail in Bessemer, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said one inmate was found to be positive.
The inmate was isolated and the jail is now taking steps to monitor those who may have been exposed, according to the sheriff’s office.
“We will be making COVID 19 testing available for staff members soon and continued testing will be made available for inmates,” Cpt. David Agee said in a press release. “We are taking extraordinary steps to combat the spread of COVID 19 within our facilities.”
NaphCare, along with the Jefferson County Health Department, began testing inmates on Friday, June 12, 2020. All incoming inmates will be screened inside a “booking tent” before they enter facilities, Agee added.