Coronavirus cases spike at Allegheny County Jail

Cases of covid-19 at Allegheny County Jail more than doubled overnight, with at least 24 inmates testing positive as of Tuesday, data show.

At least three jail employees also have tested positive for coronavirus, county-reported figures show.

Several test results for both inmates and staff members are pending.

“Confined areas present challenges when it comes to mitigation and elimination of the spread of illness or disease, and covid-19 is no exception,” county Manager William McKain said by email Tuesday afternoon. “It’s why the jail administration continues to work closely with the health department and follow guidance from their team, as well as that provided by the Pa. Department of Health, the Pa. Department of Corrections and the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).”

At the Allegheny County Treatment Alternative facility, 11 residents and three staff members have tested positive for covid-19, data show.

The 50-bed male facility in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood provides inpatient drug and alcohol treatment, case management, employment and family services. It’s operated by The Program for Offenders, a nonprofit that provides residential alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders.

No coronavirus cases have been reported among residents or staff at the West Homestead Center, a 56-bed female facility in West Homestead, or the Renewal facility.

Allegheny County Jail reports that its first inmate to test positive for covid-19 was diagnosed on April 6.

As of last week, six inmates and one staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus disease, and one case was pending.

Eight inmates tested positive by Sunday night.

Of the 24 inmates who tested positive, 20 remained in custody at the jail in Downtown Pittsburgh on Tuesday, county officials said.

In March, officials released more than 600 low-risk inmates in an effort to thwart the potential spread of the coronavirus by reducing crowding in the jail.

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A total of 1,158 inmates have been released from the jail because of the pandemic and “that effort continues on a daily basis,” McKain said.

Decisions on who gets released are made by numerous members of the criminal justice system, including judges, public defenders, the District Attorney’s Office, probation officials and jail officials.

“The jail does not determine who comes into the facility, nor how long they stay, but they can and do manage how the intake is handled for the individuals in the custody and control of the jail,” McKain said. “The jail administration has also taken measures to monitor those coming into the facility as staff or contractors.“

The county’s jail population was 1,613 as of Tuesday — 228 fewer inmates compared to last month, but two more inmates than last week.

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