Escambia County Corrections received its first positive COVID-19 test result at the work annex, formerly known as the road prison, today, July 9. As a precaution, the medical recommendation is to suspend road crew operations that provide services throughout the county. These services include, but are not limited to, grounds keeping throughout the county and support to the landfill, animal services, code enforcement and fleet maintenance.
"The action to suspend operations of the road crews is taken to protect the inmates, the correctional officers, other county employees that supervise inmate details, as well as the citizens that are in and around some of the operations where we provide services," Escambia County Corrections Chief Rich Powell said. "The inmate population will remain under observation for a period of 14 days to identify if any other inmates have become infected or present any medical concerns. Fortunately, medical staff advises that no inmates are presenting medical concerns at this time. We are continuing to clean more frequently to try to prevent further spread of COVID-19, and masks continue to be available for all inmates."
Temperatures are taken as road crews depart and return to the facility each day. This inmate was identified with a temperature upon return three days ago and immediately was isolated away from others. Through contact tracing, two additional inmates and a correctional officer are being tested.
As of today, 132 inmates have been tested at the Escambia County jail for COVID-19. Currently, there are 71 positive cases, 12 negative cases and 49 pending results. There are 18 Escambia County inmates housed at the Walton County Jail who tested positive for COVID-19.
Please call the Escambia County Jail at 850-436-9650 if you have questions about inmates.
