The Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office is readying for the COVID-19 pandemic to hit county, in the event that it does. Sheriff Tony Thompson says the Black Hawk County Jail started deep cleaning, antimicrobial and disinfection protocols to build a stronger foundation and baseline for defenses against the virus within the inmate population.

According to KWWL, Thompson stated,

We are releasing this statement to allow the public to recognize our on-going plans and continuing efforts for addressing the significant issues facing our agency, the public who will interact with our organization, and to ensure that family members of our staff and incarcerated inmates are aware of our extreme efforts and forward thinking and planning for this eventual issue facing our nation... Obviously one of our major concerns is the continuity of operations and ensuring that public safety efforts continue. To that end, we have had conversations with our local law enforcement partners to ensure that coverage, cross-coverage, and cooperative efforts will allow for no disruption of emergency services should staffing become compromised as a result of this virus.

Thompson stated that additional measures, including discontinuation of jail visitation and reductions in office hours are being planned for as well.

(Via KWWL)

More From Q98.5