JSO: Employees no longer required to test for COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Until now, employees were required to test negative for COVID-19 before coming back to work.

JSO says the new plan won’t require that, instead, if a worker tests positive for the virus they will need to quarantine.

A statement sent to us from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office reads:

“Following the CDC’s recommendations, JSO’s return to work criteria for employees has shifted from a testing-based strategy to a clinical symptom and time-based strategy. As such, JSO will not send employees to be tested as part of the standard COVID-19 response protocol.

As of Friday, the sheriff’s office tells Action News Jax 23 personnel tested positive for COVID-19.

In July, more than 50 correction officers tested positive for coronavirus, along with 560 inmates. Up from just 20 in June.

But Action News Jax has learned those numbers will soon be impossible to find.

The sheriff’s office tells us the jail isn’t getting covid19 test results for inmates anymore because the Department of Health has stopped sending this information.

New or updated numbers will have to come from the Department of Health.

JSO says employees who test positive for COVID19 are required to quarantine, they also must be symptom-free when they eventually return to work.

Statement from Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office:

In reference to COVID-19, these protocols are continuing to be updated based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. A testing-based strategy is no longer recommended by the CDC for Health Care Professionals (HCP), and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office follows these HCP guidelines. Following the CDC’s recommendations, JSO’s return to work criteria for employees has shifted from a testing-based strategy, to a clinical symptom and time-based strategy. As such, JSO will not send employees to be tested as part of the standard COVID-19 response protocol.JSO employees who test positive are required to quarantine, they are not permitted to report to work.

Cox Media Group