70 jail inmates isolated by flu outbreak

Three living units at the Cook County jail are under isolation and a fourth is under heightened surveillance after symptoms of both influenza and gastroenteritis began appearing among detainees, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said Tuesday in a news release.

Detainees in the these living units are under isolation, which means no movement and no visits: Division 08/Residential Treatment Unit Tier 2E; Division 1 Tier E3; and Cermak Hospital Unit 3 South.

Division 3 Annex Tier B3 is under heightened surveillance, which allows for limited movement, such as court appearances. Detainees are being screened carefully before any movement, officials said.

The jail also is increasing disinfection efforts across the compound.

Altogether about 70 detainees are affected. Friends and family of detainees may check their loved ones' housing location on the jail's online inmate locator at www.cookcountysheriff.org or by calling the jail info center at (773) 674-5225.