The north annex of the Fresno County Jail is a coronavirus hot spot.
“We will be working to administer additional tests in the coming weeks on those who tested negative to ensure we have the most accurate results.” — Tony Botti, spokesman, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
A sheriff’s office spokesman said Thursday that 108 inmates were positive for COVID-19 among the latest 400 test results received.
Those results followed last Friday’s announcement that 13 Fresno inmates tested positive for the virus after they arrived at Wasco State Prison.
Related Story: Sheriff Places 1,200 Fresno Inmates Into COVID-19 Quarantine
Three Correctional Officers Test Positive
In addition, the office reported earlier this week that two inmates had positive tests, as did three correctional officers.
Tony Botti, the sheriff’s spokesman, said the correctional officers are off duty and in quarantine.
800 More Test Results Expected by Saturday
The sheriff’s office has tested about 1,200 inmates in all, and Botti said Thursday the remaining 800 results are expected by Saturday. The majority of those tested are at the north annex jail.
The 108 positive inmates are quarantined on the fourth floor of the main jail, he said.
“We will be working to administer additional tests in the coming weeks on those who tested negative to ensure we have the most accurate results,” Botti said.
Second COVID-19 Inmate Dies at Avenal State Prison
A second inmate in four days died at Avenal State Prison from what appeared to be complications of the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.
Another inmate at the facility in Kings County died on Saturday. There are 112 inmates at the prison with the virus.
To date, state prisons have reported 20 COVID-19-related inmate deaths. Sixteen were at the California Institution for Men in Chino in San Bernardino County.
(Associated Press contributed to this report.)
