By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – An inmate in the McLean County Detention Facility has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a release from the county.
The inmate has been placed in medical isolation after being in custody for several months and waiting transfer to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
According to the release, the facility is working with medical staff and the McLean County Health Department on mitigation and prevention — including testing of all staff and inmates.
Precautions were put in place in late March including employee health screening, limited inmate movement, temperature checks and quarantine of incoming inmates for 14 days before being introduced into housing units. has helped prevent outbreaks, according to the sheriff’s department.
The sheriff’s office has also filed suit against Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections for failing to take inmates that have been sentenced into their custody.
The sheriff’s office said the inaction is creating a health and financial burden on the detention facility and county taxpayers.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].