The full-time Medical Department of the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office is working vigorously to treat multiple detainees at the Jerome Combs Detention Center after several began displaying symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.

“Only one particular housing unit has been affected at this point,” said Sheriff Mike Downey.  “Thankfully, we are in possession of the Abbott Rapid Test that allows us to verify whether or not a detainee is, in fact, positive with the Coronavirus.  We have been through this process before when several detainees at our downtown detention facility contracted COVID-19 back in October.  Those testing positive have been quarantined from the remaining population and are being closely monitored by medical staff.”

The Sheriff’s Office continues to provide adequate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to both employees and detainees and continue to take extra precautions.  Our medical staff has remained on the forefront of the issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to work closely with the Kankakee County Health Department and is adhering to CDC guidelines for testing, tracing, quarantining and treating.