photo by: Chad Lawhorn

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

One inmate at the Douglas County Jail has tested positive for COVID-19, but 220 other tests — 99.5% — came back negative, according to a social media post from the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office said on Aug. 24 that two staff members had tested positive, so the jail’s medical staff began testing all corrections officers, deputies, civilian staff members and inmates at the jail. The jail also made personal protective equipment, or PPE, mandatory for all inmates outside of their individual cells.

The inmate who tested positive is isolated and being monitored, according to the post.

“Out of caution and concern for our inmates and staff, anyone who tests negative for COVID-19 will be tested two additional times to make sure we account for possible incubation periods that could result in prematurely negative results,” the post said.

No additional staff members tested positive, according to the post. A second round of testing will begin this week.

“We are committed to maintaining transparency; if there are positive cases in the future we will of course share this information,” the post said.

Related coverage: COVID-19 + Douglas County Jail

• 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