Jail chief confirms COVID outbreak at Strafford County House of Corrections

More than 20 coronavirus cases have been identified at the jail. (Courtesy photo)

DOVER - Three staff and 18 inmates at Strafford County Jail are quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19.

Jail Superintendent Chris Brackett said inmates who are asymptomatic are quarantining in a special area of their unit, while those who are symptomatic are quarantining in special negative pressure rooms.

The negative pressure rooms allow for air to be pushed into the cells keeping other prisoners in other units at the jail safe.

Brackett said they learned of the outbreak after one inmate fell ill on Monday, was tested and found positive for the virus.

On Tuesday the unit's entire inmate population and staff were tested, which led to the quarantines, which still last 14 days despite the state loosening the mandatory quarantine time to 10 days.

Brackett said the jail has been performing surveillance testing since July, including 900 inmates and 300 staff.