15 correctional officers, 7 inmates positive for COVID-19 at Douglas County Department of Corrections

The the Douglas County Department of Corrections announced Thursday that 15 correctional officers and one contractor with the Douglas County Department of Corrections have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks. All are isolating at home.Additionally, seven incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past few weeks. Four were positive before being booked into jail. All inmates have been relocated to a quarantine unit.Mike Myers, director of Douglas County Department of Corrections, said, “While our recent jump in cases among staff and incarcerated individuals is concerning, we continue to follow the expert advice of leaders at both Nebraska Medicine and the Douglas County Health Department.”“All staff members are required to wear masks at all times while on duty. Corrections has provided masks for allincarcerated individuals as well. Nearly all incarcerated individuals have been cooperative with wearing their masks.”More than 80 additional staff members and approximately 50 incarcerated individuals are being tested for the virus after contact tracing.Since the onset of the pandemic, a total of 23 employees and one contractor have tested positive. In total, 14 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for COVID-19, with 11 of those individuals testing positive with the virus prior to booking.