The Peoria County Jail is on lockdown after eight detainees tested positive for COVID-19.
Two of the inmates have since beeen released. One will return at a later date to complete a sentence, while the other was released prior to receiving positive test results.
Two other inmates that tested positive were sentenced to state prison, but are being held in the Peoria County Jail due to the Illinois Department of Correction's suspension of new admissions.
Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell said Saturday all positive inmates have been in custody more than 14 days.
"The jail has been placed on lockdown and we are working with the Peoria City/County Health Department and inmate health care staff to manage those infected and determine the scope of additional exposures," said Asbell. "We started Covid testing last week on the inmate population due to reported staff infection and will continue to test all individuals incarcerated inside the jail."
Asbell said two jail employees also tested positive for the virus, and another five are currently off work due to potential exposure.
All visits to the county jail are suspended for at least the next two weeks.
The sheriff said there also may be impacts on other county operations, such as court procedures.
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