Jail COVID-19 numbers drop, but inmate population back to where it was before the pandemic
SAN ANTONIO – Some important numbers have seen a drop at the county jail, while others have seen a steep increase.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Tuesday his jail has just 56 positive inmates inside. He also said 47 deputies have tested positive and are fighting the virus, 43 are within the jail and four are out patrolling the streets.
There are five civilian employees also fighting the virus.
Although these numbers are good, according to the sheriff, another datapoint has seen a sharp increase.
He said when the pandemic started, there were 4,861 inmates. Those numbers fell to below 3,000 but have jumped up again.
“We are at more than 4,800, the main driving force is the state,” Salazar said. “State is still not picking up inmates. We sent out about 10 today but considering 100 are hitting jail each day.”
Salazar said before the pandemic, the state would pick up about 100 per week, but now the numbers are less steady.
He said there are still 584 inmates who need to go, with nearly 440 of those needing to be in a state prison and the rest needing treatment programs.
