SCLEC Detention officer, inmate test positive for COVID-19

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the positive testing of a detention officer and inmate at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center on Friday, July 31.

According to a press release by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, an inmate housed at Stephens County Jail tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, July 30. A detention officer who tested positive on Monday, July 13 has not returned to work.

The inmate has been placed in a separate cell for medical purposes; however, the inmate has informed the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, that he is feeling normal and demonstrates no detectable symptoms.

The male inmate was tested on Monday, July 27 due to self-reporting that he was running a fever. None of his former pod-mates have shown to have a fever, nor do they have any other symptoms related to COVID-19 as of Friday, July 31. They will be tested as a precautionary measure.

According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, the office has implemented the advice of the TCJS, along with the guidance of a local doctor and our jail doctor, who is provided to us through Southern Health Partners (SHP). SHP is the medical group that our county jail contracts with to provide healthcare to inmates.

On Sunday, July 12, an off-duty detention officer informed the Sheriff’s Office administration that the officer was exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, a person who lived in the same household as the officer had been notified on the same date that their previous test showed positive for the virus.

The Sheriff’s Office arranged for the off-duty detention officer to be tested at an out of town location that offered a 24 hour turnaround time.

That test was administered the next morning, Monday, July 13. On Tuesday, July 14, the detention officer was notified that they did, in fact, test positive for the virus.

The Breckenridge American will continue to monitor the situation.