CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The number of inmates testing positive for COVID-19 has doubled since last week at the Montgomery County Jail.

Among the inmates, as of Wednesday there are 19 cases total, with 1 recovery, for 18 active cases, according to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Sandra Brandon.

Among deputies and staff, there have been 6 cases total, with 2 recoveries, for 4 active cases. Some of those testing positive are jail deputies and staff, but not all, Brandon said.

That’s twice as many as last week, when 9 inmates and 3 deputies tested positive.

The cases are in both the male and female areas of the jail, which houses 486 inmates in the main jail and 55 in the workhouse.

Not every inmate who enters the jail is tested. Brandon said tests are given to people being booked into the jail in four situations:

• If the person has symptoms.
• If the person asks for a test.
• If the person answers yes when asked if they may have been exposed.
• If jail staff suspects the person has symptoms.

For existing jail inmates, the reasons are similar: They are tested on request and if they show symptoms.

Deputies and other MCSO staff are encouraged to get tested if they show symptoms, and they are encouraged to be tested if they may have been exposed.

The jail has established several other procedures this year to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, from sanitizing to screening and social distancing, according to previous reports.