Caldwell County Jail reports 23 cases of COVID

By Kristen Meriwether, Editor LPR

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published on Thursday, Feb 4 at 11:43 a.m. CST. It was updated on Monday Feb. 8 at 7:15 p.m. with additional reporting and a photo. For transparency, a copy of the original story has been kept at the bottom.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office reported 23 cases of COVID at the jail facility on Feb. 3, according to a Feb. 4 press release. Those numbers reflect inmate cases, according to Texas Commission on Jail Standards TCJS data. There were an additional two staff members who reported positive tests per the Feb. 3 TCJS data.

“Despite enhanced disinfecting procedures and screenings, we have experienced an increase in cases,” Caldwell County Sheriff Mike Lane said in the release. “The inmates who have tested positive for the virus will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by medical staff.”

LPR viewed TCJS data for January and the increase in cases began on Feb 2 when 28 inmates were given COVID tests and 21 tested positive.  

The Sheriff’s Office said they are offering rapid screenings for inmates and staff, including those entering and leaving the building. If anyone is found to test positive, as in the case of a trustee in the kitchen, everyone working near that person is quarantined.

The jail is also quarantining an additional 26 inmates who may have come into contact with COVID-positive people.

Inmates who test positive are monitored by medical professionals on site from Southern Health Partners. Inmates are offered over the counter medication to combat symptoms, and a prescription if ordered by a doctor.

If a Southern Health Partner medical professional determines the symptoms are too severe, an inmate can be transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. On Feb. 5 one inmate with COVID was sent to a local hospital where he was treated and released back into the jail after four hours, according to Sheriff Mike Lane.

Rumors were swirling on Facebook over the weekend that a COVID-positive inmate at the jail was on a ventilator. Sheriff Lane said that was not true. The jail would transfer an inmate to a local hospital if that level of care was required.

Those same rumors said the jail was on “lockdown.” Interaction between pods is limited to decrease exposure, but inmates are still allowed to go outside for exercise. Sheriff Lane has opted to keep the kitchen open instead of resorting to brown bag bologna sandwiches for all three meals. All kitchen staff are screened prior to their shift to ensure no one with symptoms enters the facility.

To avoid any additional potential for exposure the jail is currently refusing to book low-level, non-violent warrants until further notice, according to the release.

Sheriff Lane reported the current jail population averages between 125-135 inmates at the 301-bed facility. It was 130 inmates on Feb. 9.

The original story, published Feb 4 at 11:43 a.m. is below:

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office reported 23 cases of COVID at the jail facility on Feb. 3, according to a press release. The Sheriff’s Office did not specify if that number was just inmates or staff and inmates. 

“Despite enhanced disinfecting procedures and screenings we have experienced an increase in cases,” Caldwell County Sheriff Mike Lane said in the release. “The inmates who have tested positive for the virus will remain in quarantine until they are cleared by medical staff.”

The Sheriff’s Office said they are offering rapid screenings for inmates and staff. Trained medical staff are on hand to provide continued screening and treatment of those entering and exiting the facility.

To avoid any additional potential for exposure the jail is currently refusing to book low-level, non-violent warrants until further notice, according to the release. LPR asked for the current inmate population, but that number was not provided by the Sheriff’s Office. 

In an interview with LP in mid-January Sheriff Lane discussed COIVD procedures and said they have been working to keep the jail population low through the pandemic. At that time he said there were roughly 130-140 inmates at the 301-bed facility.