SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said on Monday that the risk for COVID-19 now appears to be greater outside the jail than inside.
Salazar told reporters that there are currently 33 positive COVID-19 cases among inmates at the Bexar County Jail. He said each of the cases was caught at intake and said he doesn’t believe there is a single case currently that was contracted inside the jail.
To date there have been 473 COVID-19 cases among inmates.
Salazar said cases of the new coronavirus are up among deputies. There are 22 deputies currently with COVID-19 -- 16 are detention officers and 16 work in law enforcement.
The sheriff also talked about how deputies will be helping to implement Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff’s new order that requires businesses to have a health and safety policy. The policy requires face coverings for employees and visitors.
Daily COVID-19 cases hit new high in Bexar County
Businesses that do not follow the order can be fined up to $1,000, but Salazar said deputies efforts are more about informing than enforcing.
Salazar has previously said that issuing a citation will be the last resort.
Watch the full press briefing in the video player above.
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