RICHMOND, Va. -- The Richmond Justice Center is reporting a "spike in positive COVID-19 results" and plans to complete another mass testing at the jail Monday, according to officials with the Richmond City Sheriff's Office.
Deputies did not specify how many inmates have tested positive or what constitutes a spike in cases in the news release sent late Saturday.
But the statement was issued a few hours after a group of protesters gathered outside the jail demanding better treatment of those behind bars.
Officials with the sheriff's office said they are reinforcing CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of the virus as well as offering testing.
“Inmates that have tested positive are in the same living/housing areas,” officials said. “They get their vitals checked a minimum of 4 times in a 24 hour period. Inmates that may have been exposed are quarantined, locked down, tested and allowed out during the day to use phones, take showers, and exercise.”
Jail officials said they will conduct another mass testing for COVID-19 Monday in conjunction with the health department.
However, deputies said some inmates have refused to be tested.
WTVR CBS 6 submitted several follow-up questions and asked for clarification on the exact number of cases at the jail. We’ll update this story once we hear back.