MCSO gives updates on inmate and staff testing, COVID-19 expenditures

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday provided updates on coronavirus testing of its inmates and staff as well as expenditures related to combating the health crisis.

Among the 4,515 MCSO inmates tested for COVID-19, there have been 1,171 positive results — a positivity rate of more than 25%, according to the law enforcement agency.

A total of 247 agency employees have also tested positive for the virus, 122 of whom have been cleared to return to work.

According to the MCSO’s website, the agency has approximately 3,300 employees, which would indicate a positivity rate among staff to be 7%.

There are currently 251 MCSO staff members on leave due to the coronavirus.

Employees on leave for two weeks receive a maximum pay of $5,110 if they are quarantined and $2,000 if they are caring for a family member.

Those on leave for 10 weeks to care for a minor or dependent child receive a maximum pay of $10,000.

MCSO has procured 647,000 personal protective equipment items including various face masks and cloth inserts, 189,00 of which have been distributed.

Masks were first provided for all inmates and staff in March.

The agency has also distributed 7,269 various kinds of hand sanitizer and disinfectant out of 21,100 procurements.

From February to July, MCSO said it has spent $428,578 on PPE and cleaning supplies.

Related

Sheriff Paul Penzone details MCSO's new coronavirus protocolsMCSO jails have more COVID-19 cases than all Arizona prisonsArizona securities fraudster ordered to pay more than $2.7M in restitutionArizona regulators approve plan to shield rural energy customers from data centers costsAHS urges owners to get pets year-round vaccinations with preventable diseases on riseMan dies almost a week after being assaulted during Maryvale soccer game fight