Sheriff Places 1,200 Fresno Inmates Into COVID-19 Quarantine

About 1,200 inmates at Fresno County’s north annex jail went into quarantine Friday after 13 COVID-19 tests came back positive, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

On June 10, the sheriff’s office received negative COVID-19 results for 25 sentenced inmates awaiting transfer to Wasco State Prison.  All of those inmates were housed on floors 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the jail.

Inmates Tested by State Came Back Positive

The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then conducted COVID-19 tests on those inmates. On Friday, the state reported that 13 of the tests were positive.

In response, the north jail annex at 1265 M Street in downtown Fresno was placed into precautionary quarantine.

“All inmates are now being closely monitored for symptoms of COVID-19. Thus far, we have identified nine inmates who have a fever,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“Those inmates and any others that may have symptoms will be tested and provided with any necessary medical attention. There will be no inmate movement within the north jail until further notice.”

Sheriff: Inmates Get Daily Medical Screenings

The sheriff’s office says that since the onset of the pandemic inmates have received daily medical screenings and efforts have been made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“These 13 positive tests represent the largest spike in cases we have seen associated with our jail,” the sheriff’s office said. “We are working to identify any possible cause for this spike and to see if other areas of the jail may be impacted.”