Cook County jail seeing more COVID-19 cases

The Cook County jail, after getting national attention for its very early outbreak of COVID-19, then bringing the numbers down to infinitesimal levels, is again facing a growing problem containing the pandemic in light of community spread.

As of Thursday, the county had 91 cases among 5,426 detainees and 63 cases among jail staff, county officials said. That compares to the one-day peak of 307 positive cases at the height of the initial outbreak in mid-April.

"If the virusis proliferating outside of the jail walls, it is going to eventually get through even the best defenses, either from staff who must go about their lives outside of work or through incoming detainees," said Sheriff Tom Dart. "We are determined to use all our resources and ingenuity to stop this spread, but we also need the community's help. Please practice social distancing and wear your mask: it saves lives."