Maricopa County jails to suspend access due to coronavirus concerns
Mar 15, 2020, 12:38 PM
(AP File Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — Changes to county jails were announced by Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, including the suspension of access to volunteer and supplemental services.
According to a release by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the only access into jails will be for “court ordered interactions or legal obligations” only.
The decision was made to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, even though there haven’t been any cases detected in the jail system.
“I make this decision, however, as a precautionary measure to protect our officers, staff and the incarcerated population,” Penzone said.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services website, 12 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Arizona. However, only two have been accounted for in Pima County despite reports of a third case on Sunday morning, which would presumably move Arizona’s total to 13.
ADHS says that 183 people have been tested in Arizona with 121 ruled coronavirus-free, 50 tests pending and 12 positive tests returned.
No deaths have been reported due to the virus so far in the state.
Sunday’s presumptive positive result was the first positive from commercial testing, according to the Pima County Health Department.
Information was not made available on whether or not this case was contracted through known sources.