In the past 24 hours, 64 more inmates have lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 63 of which stemmed from the eight inmates in our media release earlier this week who tested positive for COVID-19.  The additional inmate with a lab-confirmed case was tested in line with other protocols.  This brings the current total of infected inmates to 72.  The eight inmates were identified as a result of routine quarantine and testing prior to movement out to the Department of Corrections to carry out their sentence. Inmates have been isolated and all employees and inmates who have had direct or indirect contact, or other work-related contact have been contacted and/or notified. A total of 112 staff members were tested yesterday.

This current COVID situation is the top priority of Sheriff Elder and the Staff at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.  In March, we put in place emergency operating plans for just this circumstance.  We were more than prepared.  We will be making significant adjustments  to how we operate the facility to combat this outbreak. We will test and care for every employee and inmate, and provide the safest facility possible under these rapidly evolving conditions.

The threat of further infection will continue to increase over the next several weeks.  Within the next week we will be testing all employees and inmates. In addition to testing, we are providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to inmates. At this point in time, there have been no inmates who have had to be hospitalized.  They are all being treated in the facility by our medical provider, WellPath.

Since video visitation remains closed, those members of our community who have incarcerated friends or family can visit using the following link: https://visitation.epcsheriffsoffice.com/StartPage/index.php.

As the global COVID-19 information continues to develop, the Sheriff is working diligently in collaboration with Public Health and other County leadership to address this rapidly evolving situation. 

Additional or updated information will be released as it becomes available.