RUSHVILLE – The Sheridan County jail is accepting no new prisoners until further notice after a recently detained individual was identified as a presumed positive case of COVID-19. That individual is now self-isolating at home.
Sheriff Jeff Brewer says that in accordance with the jail’s response plan, no more prisoners will be brought into the jail until the situation stabilizes with all arrestees diverted to other jails until then.
All current inmates will be monitored for symptoms with increased safety precautions, while any staff potentially exposed or deemed a close contact will be self-quarantining.
Brewer says the jail is working closely with health officials to keep everyone safe and healthy, and is being especially careful with staff and detainees to monitor symptoms, increase handwashing and sanitizing, stay at least six feet away from others, and wear a mask whenever possible.
Free coronavirus testing through Test Nebraska is available 4 times a week in the northern Panhandle – Tuesday and Thursday from 2-4:00 PM at Gordon Memorial Hospital and Monday and Friday from 7-9:00 AM at the old Chadron Community Hospital ER at Wilson Park.
Those wishing to be tested must sign up in advance and be screened online at testnebraska.com or by calling 402-207-9377.