Covid testing begins in both Smith County jails

May 18, 2020

At approximately 6:00 a.m. this morning, May 18, 2020, members of the Texas Department of Emergency Management arrived at the Smith County North Jail (Low-Risk Facility) to begin Covid-19 testing. The testing will be conducted on every Detention Officer and inmate within this facility and will, most likely, last until tomorrow. Additionally, testing will begin at the Central Jail on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, for all Detention Officers and inmates and is expected to last into Thursday.

As of today, May 18, 2020, the Smith County North Jail Facility has 10 inmates who have tested positive for Covid-19 and 19 Detention Officers who have tested positive. Also, we have one Detention Officer from the Central Jail who tested positive for Covid-19. This Officer was removed from the Central Jail prior to being tested due to known risk factors.

For more information on the Smith County Sheriff’s Office visit www.smithcountysheriff.com. The Sheriff’s Office also has a FB page and can be followed on Twitter at @SmithCSO.