Wake County Detention Center is trying to stop virus spread

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina’s Wake County Detention Center is seeing its worst spread of the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.

WRAL reports that close to 100 inmates out of 1,100 are in isolation after testing positive. Plus, more than a dozen Wake County Sheriff’s Office staffers have tested positive.

“Inevitably, it caught up with us, as it did everyone else.,” Sheriff Gerald Baker said Wednesday. “It’s kind of like a pinball machine – it’s all over the place.”

Authorities have identified 55 virus cases at the downtown jail and another 40 at the Hammond Road facility. Authorities caution that not all test results are in.

Positive results have also come back for 17 detention officers and other sheriff’s office staffers. The detention center is now essentially on lockdown as authorities try to limit the spread.

“We do know that, when the numbers are high in the community, we’re going to see that in the jail. So, we want to remain proactive,” said Tonya Minggia, health services administrator for the sheriff’s office.