Hamilton County, TN – On April 27, 2020, Hamilton County Jail Officials were informed by Erlanger Hospital Medical Staff that an inmate has tested positive for COVID-19.

The inmate is a federal inmate who was transferred to the Hamilton County Jail from the Bledsoe Regional Prison on April 14, 2020. At the time of transfer, the inmate was asymptotic, meaning he presented no signs of COVID-19.

Jail personnel are currently tracking all inmates and personnel who may have come into contact with the inmate. All jail personnel and inmates who have come into contact with the inmate have been tested and all have tested negative for COVID-19. In addition, none are exhibiting any signs of COVID-19.

Per Hamilton County Jail guidelines, the positive inmate and any inmates and staff that they have come in contact with him will be quarantined for 14 days.

Sheriff Jim Hammond would like to reassure the public and those who may have family or friends incarcerated in the jail that our personnel are maintaining extraordinary measures to routinely sanitize the facility. The Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work with Health Department and Erlanger Medical personnel to safeguard the health of our inmates and personnel due to COVID-19. This includes testing employees and inmates who show signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

As this pertains to a medical issue, due to HIPPA, we are not able to release any further details at this time.