(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Cook County Jail is a hot spot for the novel coronavirus, but it’s just the opposite situation at the jail in DuPage County.
DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said Thursday it’s unlikely his jail will be able to keep the COVID-19 pandemic at bay forever, but he says in a news release his office is doing its best.
“Considering the rapid spread of COVID-19, I feel it is necessary to take additional precautions to prevent the introduction of the virus into the Correctional Facility,” Mendrick said in a news release.
The sheriff says the number of new detainees has been reduced by 80% by having area police departments issue tickets and notices to appear in court for low-level crimes.
Jail capacity is 1,000 detainees, but after conferring with the Chief Judge, State's Attorney's Office, Public Defender and Probation Department, any person who could safely be released on an I-bond or a warrant has been. That puts the population at 365 now.
There are repeated cleanings of all high-touch surfaces, and air circulation has been changed. HVAC systems take in 100 percent fresh air. No air is re-circulated.
All employees must wear a mask throughout their shifts. Every employee or contractor coming into the jail must have their temperature taken, and incoming detainees are screened before they get out of a police squad car.
Those with symptoms of the coronavirus are rejected until a judge orders them to be kept at the DuPage County Jail.