photo by: Chad Lawhorn

The Douglas County Jail, 3601 E 25th St., is pictured on April 7, 2020

Two staff members of the Douglas County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a social media post from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Monday.

The office was notified on Thursday, and the staff member had contact with inmates in minimum classification, according to the post. Over the weekend, the office was notified of the second staff member testing positive.

Medical staff administered COVID-19 tests to all inmates in minimum security and staff members who were in contact with the first person who tested positive, according to the post. All inmates and staff who were not tested on Friday are now being tested following the second report, according to the post.

“While not all test results have been returned, we have not yet received any additional positive results,” according to the post. “We will continue to be transparent with the public should any results come back positive.”

Inmates in minimum security housing were moved to an area of the facility that allowed them to quarantine individually, and officers and deputies “worked immediately to deep-clean and disinfect the entire exposed area and to wash all laundry in the facility” on Thursday, the post said.

All inmates are provided personal protective equipment each week, or more often if requested, the post says.

“Wearing the PPE was previously a choice inmates were allowed to make. Until further notice all inmates will now be required to wear PPE outside of their individual housing units,” according to the post. “Most inmates who had contact with the staff reporting positive cases were wearing PPE.”

Related coverage: COVID-19 + Douglas County Jail

• July 29, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office captain says county jail has reached its functional capacity amid COVID-19

• July 24, 2020: Douglas County Jail: Still no COVID-19 cases

• May 10, 2020: Is the Douglas County Jail’s inmate population decrease amid COVID-19 sustainable? Law enforcement isn’t optimistic

• April 8, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office serving warrants only for public safety risks

• April 7, 2020: Douglas County district attorney: 14 inmates released from jail amid COVID-19; some community service hours waived in diversion cases

• March 27, 2020: At Douglas County Jail, female inmates still sharing cells; total population has dropped

• March 24, 2020: Douglas County Jail suspends visitation amid ‘stay at home’ order

• March 23, 2020: Douglas County juvenile detention center has no plan to release incarcerated youths; activists make national push

• March 19, 2020: What you need to know: Lawrence-area law enforcement shares latest updates amid COVID-19 pandemic

• March 18, 2020: Douglas County Jail visitations continue; would-be inmate sent away at intake to self-quarantine

• March 17, 2020: Douglas County District Court delays most hearings, jury trials amid COVID-19 concerns

• March 13, 2020: Some Douglas County Jail inmates could be released on furloughs if sick or at risk of COVID-19

• March 12, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: Jail can accommodate quarantine, if needed