Sheriff Mark Schrader says that he has taken extra steps at the Chattooga County Jail after about half of his jail staff tested positive for COVID-19 over the past few days.

The sheriff said that a professional cleaning crew has been to the jail and the front office and sanitized the premises according to CDC guidelines.

Sheriff Shcrader says that two of his jail staff were hospitalized due to the coronavirus.  One jail staff member has been released and the other remains in the hospital.

The sheriff said that he and other members of his staff have been working in the jail to cover the shortage in manpower.  Sheriff Schrader said that several other law enforcement agencies in the area have offered to supply help if needed, but for now, they have been able to keep going without any outside help.

Schrader told WZQZ News on Wednesday evening that the medical provider for the jail has not agreed to test all of the inmates for COVID-19.  The sheriff said that he is continuing to look for a way to test all of the inmates.  The sheriff points out that no inmates are showing any symptoms at this time.