An inmate tested positive for COVID-19 at the Monroe County Jail.

Sheriff Todd Baxter says the case was detected before the inmate got to the general population and was still in precautionary quarantine.

"The protocols played out nicely in a difficult environment that we wished we never had," said Sheriff Baxter.

He explained the inmate didn't disclose that they had been in contact with someone who had the virus when they arrested on April 7.

The fact was only discovered five days later on Easter when the twice-daily temperature checks of the inmates in quarantine revealed that the inmate had a fever. 

Once the inmate tested positive, he was brought to Strong Memorial Hospital and then the MCSO COVID Confinement Area in Brighton.

"All those individuals that he had contact with, they've all tested clear so far and none of them have any symptoms," said Sheriff Baxter.

While the sheriff believes they have sound testing protocols at the jail, they are always reviewing the policy to prevent any future cases from getting in there.

"Is there another type of question, another form of question? Is there any way we can verify?" said Sheriff Baxter.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is maintaining its policy of quarantining any incarcerated individual for 14 days before placing them into the general population of the jail.

"Inmates trying to scrape the walls and ask for protective equipment and make sure we have enough soap and are washing our hands continuously. It's all so important. You see it as team atmosphere in there. The safety and security of those inmates and my staff is paramount and I take that very seriously as part of my duty as sheriff,” said Sheriff Baxter.

The sheriff is also working on preventative measures such as educating the public on the importance of social distancing.

"We're trying to be public servants and serve the public. We want to flatten the curve and get back to normal and plus there are so many people hurting in our community. They're unemployed. They're sick. We have mass amount of death. This is something we've never experienced in our life," said Sheriff Baxter.