Floyd County Sheriff Tim Burkhalter released a statement saying that the Floyd County Jail is now on “Code Red” after multiple inmates have tested positive for COVID -19 over the past several days.

Burkhalter said, “Currently, we have 15 inmates in the Floyd County Jail, who have tested positive for covid-19, along with 7 employees. More test results for staff and inmates are still pending. Effective immediately, the Floyd County Jail is implementing the Code Red Phase of our Coronavirus Pandemic Preparedness Plan. By activating the Code Red Protocol, we hope to minimize the spread of the Coronavirus within our facility.”

The sheriff said that he is working with the Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health who continue to administer tests to inmates and staff.

The “Code Red” designation means that the Floyd County Jail will not be accepting new inmates from Chattooga County, or any other county, in the near future.