A San Francisco Sheriff’s deputy
has tested positive for COVID-19–the seventh sheriff’s employee to test positive
since March, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto announced Friday.
The deputy, who works as a bailiff
at the city’s Hall of Justice, was asymptomatic and had followed safety
protocols like wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing and hand
washing regularly, Miyamoto said.
“The virus is surging again so
this is not completely surprising,” Miyamoto said in a statement.
“What’s critical is that we not only follow CDC guidelines to prevent
COVID, but that we also share information as soon as someone tests positive so
we can track any potential exposures and prevent further spread.”
The sheriff’s office has notified
the city’s Superior Court, as well as Public Defender Mano Raju and District
Attorney Chesa Boudin.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office
has begun a contact tracing investigation to identify anyone who has been in
contact with the deputy and may have been exposed.
Back in March, five sheriff’s
office staff members tested COVID-19 positive. In early July, a sixth staff
member tested positive after being exposed while traveling out of state and
that person has not yet returned to work, sheriff’s officials said.
In April, the Department of Public
Health’s Jail Health Services began testing new arrestees for COVID-19 on top
of conducting routine infectious diseases screenings and medical interviews for
new inmates prior to booking. The new inmates are also being isolated from the
general jail population.
So far, 24 new inmates have tested
positive for COVID-19. All are asymptomatic. Of the 24, only three remain in
custody and they have since recovered.
In addition, sheriff’s officials
said recently that 25 people in the city’s jail were quarantined after possibly
being exposed to the virus.
Among those, 12 remain in custody
and they have all tested negative three times. They were released from custody
Friday.
Currently, there are no known
COVID-19 case within the city’s jails.
“Our strict testing and jail
housing protocols have ensured that justice-involved people who test positive
remain isolated while in custody and get the support they need when they are
released,” Miyamoto said. “But this virus is wily and will look for a
wormhole. We can’t let our guard down for one minute.”
Source: NBC Bay Area