MASON CITY – At least one jailer has tested positive for Covid-19 in the Cerro Gordo county jail, NIT was informed today, although the sheriff issued a denial.
The county employee has been quarantined, allegedly, our source says.
NIT inquired to top-level sources after a tip to our newsroom that two employees tested positive.
Sheriff Kevin Pals immediately responded to an email this afternoon and denied there is a positive case in the jail.
“There is no positive case in our jail,” Sheriff Pals said.
NIT response: “My source says a jailer got it and has been quarantined. False?”
Sheriff Pals response: “I cannot make comments on employee health records.”
NIT response: “OK. Can you comment on any measures being taken at the jail to prevent spread of Covid-19? Thank you.”
NIT awaits this response from Sheriff Pals. UPDATE: Sheriff Pals provided this information (list) on prevention efforts:
– Cerro Gordo County Jail COVID Measures:
– No outside visitation
– No jail programming
– No outside visitation
– Anyone entering the building are masked
– Inmate temperatures are taken during the booking procedures
– COVID questions are also asked during booking procedures
– If an inmate has an elevated temperature or symptoms of COVID at booking they are temporarily isolated in the jail and jail medical staff will be contacted
– Jail staff uses PPE for universal precautions
– Jail nurse and medical provider are contacted with any concerns
– We also have masks for all inmates and staff if and when needed
County administrator Tom Meyer did not immediately respond to initial question. A phone call message was also left for him.
Jails have been notorious hot spots around the country for Covid-19 outbreaks. Some jails and prisons have even let prisoners go free in an effort to stop spread.
What happened to the second post that was there?
I I figured it would be coming up this way pretty soon. Why can’t the government get on the ball and in an antidote. To many people are diedy.just figured how many people have died here in the USA.
go to the kitchen and make a antidote…see how long it takes you..and oh test it on your family and friends
Of course they have. Why would you think they wouldn’t? I am just surprised it took so long which is probably a result of the steps they have taken. These people are the low lifes of our society and it should surprise no one they they are diseased.
Record 69,000 reported cases yesterday. Iowa reported a daily record also. And wait for it…Florida is out of control spread. Yes, open Disney world at the height of the virus. Show’s you greedy Disney is going down. And their many shareholders are doomed. Poor Bastards. Just wait 3 weeks and then tell me Iowa’s opening schools. By then you will think again about ‘Gee we should have emptied the jail.” Too Late. By mid August you’ll see economic implosion. Centralized control like in the days of Ma Bell. ‘Rona gunna be wilding.
They are going to let out 8,000 inmates in California right now. If your a high profile bad boy with a swanky lawyer then you get out easy. Except Bernie the swindler. So, let ’em out. Enclosed and confined. Just keep the wicked.
If Sheriff Pals has nothing to hide, he should have no fear of answering questions. And his answer to “no positive cases in our jail”, if the person(s) were sent home to quarantine and is no longer at the jail, his answer would be correct. My ques. would have been, “are there now, or have there been any positive cases in your jail”.
Masks are not available to inmates at all. My husband was just there for over 3 momths & requested them multiple times but never once was given one!
Cerro Gordo case of Vargus/Feild 20 plus yeats ago putting young kid in with known killer from Hampton harmless reasons not a chance big county mistake.Still remember the scanner picking this kid up walking on interstate shoulder years ago.Left Cerro Gordo in body bag.Thats Real and it happened so ya mistakes have happened b4.
Sure blame the officers remember that ne t time you need police protection we have Sherlock #2 here I guess haha
People have died in that jail, for real.
For harmless reasons. No foul play. What’s your point, Sherlock?
Why are you such an Asshole?