photo by: Chad Lawhorn

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

A Douglas County Jail inmate who had been in a treatment program outside the facility has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a social media post from the sheriff’s office.

The treatment facility requested that the inmate be transferred back to the jail on Friday after he developed symptoms of the illness, according to the post. The inmate was “immediately” isolated in the jail’s medical unit upon return, the post said.

Jenn Hethcoat, public information officer for the sheriff’s office, clarified via email that the inmate was away from the facility for 12 days prior to returning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of the coronavirus may appear between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus.

In addition to this most recent case, the sheriff’s office has reported four staff members and two inmates testing positive for COVID-19, with the first cases coming in late August.

Related coverage: COVID-19 + Douglas County Jail

• Sept. 21, 2020: 2 staff members, 1 inmate at Douglas County Jail test positive for COVID-19

• Sept. 2, 2020: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office: Inmate tests positive for COVID-19; 220 other tests are negative

• Aug. 24, 2020: Two staff members at Douglas County Jail test positive for COVID-19

• 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