GREEN COVE SPRINGS – 18 inmates at the Clay County Jail have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The affected inmates are being isolated, and their symptoms are treated accordingly. There are no inmates in need of advanced medical treatment at this time. The inmates have full access to medical care, and they are screened several times a day.

Precautions are in place to limit exposure to other inmates. No outside visitors are coming into the facility, except for necessary personnel. Protective equipment is provided to staff and inmates. We are making every effort to ensure the health and safety of all the inmates and our staff. We are also coordinating with local health officials through this process.

As a response to COVID-19, the Clay County Sheriff's Office has taken measures to help limit the virus's spread, and those measures have been in place for the last several months. Our jail staffing has daily screening upon entry into the facility, and staffing modifications are implemented to reduce jail personnel entering the facility during each seven-day workweek.

All inmates are issued masks, which are replaced as needed and they are required to wear them outside of their cell. All CCSO members are required to wear masks in common areas. Inmates received into the facility after arrest are screened before acceptance into the facility. An additional screening takes place during processing.

Inmates processed into the facility before and up to seven days after receipt will be held in a limited occupancy dorm to reduce exposure/contamination. After the quarantine period, inmates are then allowed to transition into the general population. Additional disinfecting of the housing units is taking place several times throughout each shift. The jail lobby is open to the public with limited transactions.

Sheriff Michelle Cook said: “We are taking every precaution necessary to help keep our members and inmates safe during this pandemic. We’ve implemented safety measures in every aspect of our operations at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and while it has changed how we operate, we are still committed to keeping our employees and those who are in our custody and control as safe as possible.”