Chelan County Jail Adopting Precautionary Measures, Cancelling Visitation

Chelan County and Regional Justice Center officials decided Wednesday morning to cancel all of the jail's visitation hours beginning immediately in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Interim Director Bill Larsen says that, so far, there have been no other major alterations to the jail's operations or staffing, but that could always change.

Larsen added that there are always healthcare professionals on staff, and the jail's Healthcare Manager is in regular contact with local health officials.

"We screen all inmates at the time of booking for any signs or symptoms of a respiratory virus." Larsen explained, "If any of those inmates exhibit any signs or symptoms, then we do take their temperature. If the temperature is 101 degrees or greater, that inmate will be transported to the triage tent at Central Washington Hospital for clearance before we would accept them into the jail."

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs have been holding weekly conference calls with jail commanders throughout the state to discuss situation reports and precautionary measures.

There have been no suspected cases of coronavirus at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center.