Thirty-three inmates and 10 employees at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center tested positive for COVID-19 last night. Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman said the outbreak started after a couple of staff members fell ill.
“We had some inmates test positive that were going to go to court in another state," Overman said. "That was surprising to everyone because they were asymptomatic and been incarcerated for some time.”
The entire center is now on quarantine status. Overman said most cases are asymptomatic or mild, and there are no hospitalizations among inmates.
“I'm not a bit happy about it," Overman said. "By following all the guidelines, we've done our absolute best to keep it out. Now it's here, so we have to deal with it. It's not a bit unexpected. I think we've been lucky for a long time.”
The facility will continue retesting and while Overman expects more positive cases, he still hopes the outbreak will pass with no severe outcomes.