MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Chautauqua County continues to face yet another cluster of COVID-19 cases, this time at the jail in Mayville.

"Well it's disappointing. Frustrated, not surprised," said James Quattrone, (R) Chautauqua County sheriff.

Sheriff Quattrone says the facility is now on lockdown, as a majority of the cases are asymptomatic, but came from the same pod. 

"We've been fortunate to go nine months without any cases in the jail. That close proximity to one another, as much as we've encouraged and given face coverings to each inmate, it's sometimes difficult to make sure they have it on at all times when they're around others," said Quattrone.

As of Thursday morning, all 194 inmates had been tested, with 38 confirmed positives, while 62 staff members were tested, resulting in eight positive cases.

Those testing positive are in isolation, and close contacts in quarantine, as leaders work to figure out how it infiltrated the facility.

"To me, there's no certainty on that. But the likelihood of staff or somebody coming and going is a good likelihood of how that virus got into the jail," said Quattrone.

Visitors are still not permitted inside the jail. 

Quattrone says he'll continue to work with state and local health leaders, as well as the county's COVID-19 team on a plan to help mitigate the spread.

"Quarantine and isolation, making sure that we are doing a deep clean within the jail. Ensuring that our staff, inmates are using the PPE's properly," said Quattrone.

County Public Health Director Christine Schuyler says in response, she has issued a quarantine order for all Chautauqua County jail employees to help further prevent the spread.

Yet because they're essential, they can continue to work as long as they don't have any COVID-19 symptoms and follow safety practices prior to, as well as, during their shift.

Several inmates are scheduled to be re-tested next week.