8 more staff members tested positive for COVID in Durham County jail’s August outbreak

Eight more detention center staff and one more inmate tested positive for the coronavirus at the Durham County jail during testing in August, bringing the total number of a previously reported outbreak to 29, said a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

Of the eight additional positive cases among staff, five are Sheriff’s Office staff and three are contract workers in the facility, said AnnMarie Breen, a public information officer.

The Durham County Detention Center had a coronavirus outbreak in August after about three months of no reported positive cases. In the spring, eight jail staff members had contracted COVID-19, and one detention officer died.

After eight inmates tested positive on Aug. 7, the jail tested all staff and residents, finding 12 more cases then among the inmate population.

“The facility is undergoing additional cleaning and we will continue to monitor all detainees,” Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead said in statement about the outbreak on Aug. 12.

“While I am relieved the coronavirus has not spread throughout the entire facility, I want to emphasize one case is still too many. I am impressing upon staff that we must continue being vigilant in order to protect the health of inmates and themselves,” the sheriff said.

The Durham County Detention Center is one of 25 correctional facilities across N.C. that have reported positive coronavirus cases among staff or residents.

Other detention centers in the Triangle area have found outbreaks in recent months, including Wake County, Orange County and Johnston County, The News & Observer has reported.

The state defines an outbreak as two or more positive cases.

The Durham jail conducts testing when it is deemed necessary by its healthcare provider and Durham’s public health department, said Breen.

In August, the jail housed an average of 251 people a day, about one-third of its capacity, according to jail population data from the Sheriff’s office.

This story was originally published September 3, 2020 at 1:23 PM.