Lake County Jail Coronavirus Outbreak Infects 10 Inmates

WAUKEGAN, IL — Eleven inmates at Lake County Jail have tested positive for coronavirus this week, with all but one of the cases discovered among those detained in a single housing area, authorities said.

Inmates in the jail's 4-North housing "pod" have been placed on quarantine, restricting movement in or out of the area. Jail officials plan to test the several dozen inmates in the pod again in the coming days, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The first case was detected Friday after an inmate began showing symptoms of COVID-19. A rapid test came back positive, and the inmate was moved to the jail's medical area.

Also Friday, a newly remanded inmate tested positive upon their arrival at the jail, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

On Sunday, another 4-North resident tested positive and joined the two other positive cases in the medical section, it said.

Then, on Tuesday, jail officials conducted viral testing of the 44 other detainees in 4-North. Two positive results came back that day, six others on Tuesday.

All 11 inmates who have tested positive have had either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, according to the sheriff's office.

Sheriff's office officials say all detainees at the jail have been offered a chance to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

So far, 78 inmates out of the jail's population of 434 have consented and received one or more doses of the vaccine. Newly remanded detainees are all offered an opportunity for vaccination.

In mid-December, before the rollout of vaccinations to staff and residents of correctional institutions, the sheriff's office announced 35 inmates had tested positive amid an outbreak in the 5-North pod.

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The Lake County Health Department collaborates with jail officials to provide guidance about the best practices for mitigating the risk of COVID-19, according to the sheriff's office, which conducts regular testing of inmates and staff at the jail.

Upon arrival at the jail, all detainees are tested for coronavirus via a rapid antigen test before being placed on a 10-day hold, according to a sheriff's office spokesperson.

Inmates are rapid-tested a second time for COVID-19 after the 10 days. If their tests come back negative, inmates are moved to the general population.

According to the sheriff's office, all inmates are required to wear face masks whenever outside their cell, may only eat inside their cell, and are not allowed to congregate in common areas.