Allegheny County Jail employee tests positive for covid-19

An Allegheny County Jail employee has tested positive for covid-19, county officials said Friday.

The employee did not provide direct care to inmates at the jail and has not been at work since March 19, according to county spokeswoman Amie Downs.

“At this time, there are no positive cases of covid-19 among direct-contact employees or inmates, and all individuals with access to the facility are being strictly monitored for signs and symptoms of the virus,” Downs said. “The jail continues to follow the guidance provided by the Allegheny County Health Department as it relates to the safety of employees and inmates during the covid-19 pandemic. Contact tracing has been completed and impacted colleagues of the employee are being contacted with instructions for self-quarantine.”

The announcement follows the release of 545 inmates as of Friday through an ongoing collaborative effort that includes judges, court administration, county jail officials, adult probation and pretrial services, as well as the public defender’s and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s offices.

Attorney visits at the jail were also recently suspended because of covid-19 concerns.