SF Sheriff's Deputy Tests Positive for COVID-19; No Known Cases Among Incarcerated

Office of the Sheriff, City and County of San Francisco

 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nancy Crowley 415-238-5488
Sunday, March 22, 2020

The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office received confirmation this afternoon that a Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to County Jail #4 has tested positive for the coronavirus at a health facility outside of San Francisco.

“While we are saddened that one of our colleagues has tested positive, we are also well prepared to take the next steps to prevent further exposure to our staff and the incarcerated,” said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. “We’re working to reassure the loved ones of those in our custody and care that they are safe while giving our staff the tools and support they need to feel protected.”

The Sheriff’s Office is operating under a COVID-19 response and action plan and will continue to carry out emergency actions and additional precautions. These include:

  • In partnership with our Jail Health Services
    • Monitor, rapidly identify and separate any person with concerning symptoms.
    • Identify vulnerable populations who are medically at risk and place them in alternatives to incarceration
  • Maintain and fulfill staff need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies.
  • Enhanced screening and isolation procedures both at booking and in areas where the deputy worked.
  • Enforcing social distancing protocols across all three jails and in our intake and release center. 
  • Practicing self-quarantine protocols and limiting gatherings of incarcerated people to protect them from exposure including court appearances.
  • Working with our justice partners to minimize impacts on those who are affected by the self-quarantine.
  • Following the Department of Public Health’s established guidelines based on the Center for Disease and Control to prevent and control the exposure to coronavirus. 

To date, the Sheriff’s Office does not have a known case of coronavirus among the incarcerated population.