HOUSTON – Despite the growing number of jail inmates testing positive for COVID-19, officials with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office believe mass testing is helping slow the spread of the virus behind bars.
“We are not seeing an increase in the number of those who are actually sick,” said Jason Spencer, with HCSO.
Spencer said 593 inmates have tested positive, 150 are asymptomatic and 14 have been hospitalized.
Spencer said 220 members of the jail staff have tested positive, 80 have returned to work.
In fact, Spencer said the number of employees returning to work now outpaces those testing positive for the virus.