Olympia interim police chief Rich Allen announced on Jan. 6 that operations were suspended at the City of Olympia Municipal Jail following reports of COVID-19 infections among staff and inmates.
According to a press release from Allen, guidance from the Thurston County Health Department states that operations will have to stay suspended for 10 days.
“The health and welfare of our staff and the inmates we care for are of the utmost concern,” Allen said. “We will continue to work with the Health Department to facilitate a safe return to operations.”
According to the release, two low-risk inmates were released by the city’s municipal court. The remaining four who tested positive were transferred to the Lewis County Jail, where the number of inmates is low.
OPD’s patrol operations aren’t affected, as well as typical police response and Crisis Response Unit calls.
