SUFFOLK, Va. - Twenty inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail, jail officials announced Friday.
On Thursday, staff were notified that one inmate at the jail had tested positive for the virus. They say this was the first inmate to test positive at the facility since the beginning of the pandemic.
More testing was done on inmates who had come into contact with this inmate, and jail officials were notified Friday that 19 others have tested positive for COVID-19.
At this time, all but two inmates who tested positive are asymptomatic.
Officials say the appropriate measures have been taken in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with all positive and exposed inmates haven been taken to quarantine.
Officials are working to determine if more testing on staff or inmates is needed.
