Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #:	2000050
Date Issued:	May 06, 2020 - 12:35pm
Washoe County Sheriff's Office employees return to work after COVID-19 recovery
CONTACT:	Sarah Johns 911 Parr Blvd Reno, NV. 89512 Office: 775-785-6235 Cell: 775-391-0407

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Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam reports that all four Sheriff's Office employees who previously tested positive for COVID-19 are back to work this week.

"I am excited to welcome these Washoe County Sheriff's Office family members back to work after recovering from the novel coronavirus," said Sheriff Balaam. "The health and safety of our staff and inmates remains my number one priority. That is why we have taken precautions as all our staff members start to return to their normal duties. I am extremely proud of the steps all staff is taking to ensure this is a safe and clean workplace, and I'm grateful to our custodians and inmate work crews who are thoroughly disinfecting the facility multiple times each day."

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has also tested a total of 14 inmates in the Detention Facility as part of our pandemic response. To date, all inmates have tested negative for COVID-19.

Any inmates experiencing influenza like symptoms are housed in a special unit away from the general population. They are receiving treatment free of charge during this pandemic in an effort to keep the jail safe. Detention Facility medical staff continue increased medical screening of all arrestees before they are booked into the jail.

The Sheriff's Office is currently testing all interested members of the WCSO staff using 600 kits provided by the COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT). These tests are for individuals who are asymptomatic. More than 100 staff have already volunteered to undergo testing.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.