The COVID-19 outbreak at the Peoria County Jail appears to be abating.
Sheriff Brian Asbell said all 77 remaining detainees still awaiting retesting results came back negative. Thirty-four of the 38 positive cases also are now considered recovered. However, the jail is still considered an outbreak location.
Asbell said all new detainees will still be placed in a 14-day quarantine before they're moved to general population. They will be tested around day 10 of quarantine, unless they are symptomatic, request a test sooner, or are identified through contact tracing.
Spot testing of both staff and detainees also will continue, he said. No new staff infections were reported.
Detainee death not believed COVID-19 related
Meanwhile, an inmate at the jail has died after being found unresponsive Thursday morning in his cell.
Asbell said revival efforts on the 60-year-old man were unsuccessful.
Asbell said it is premature to comment on the manner of death, but it appears to be a non-COVID medical issue. Coroner Jamie Harwood is performing an autopsy.
The man was booked Tuesday after an arrest by the Illinois State Police. The coroner is expected to release more information.
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