Over the last couple of months, COVID-19 has been a main topic of conversation. The coronavirus dominates the 24-hour news cycle, which makes sense considering few people alive today have lived through a public health crisis of this magnitude.

The situation worsens each day; more and more people test positive for COVID-19 in the United States and abroad; 3,245,105 people have contracted the virus globally. The U.S. has significantly more cases than any other country, even though we only represent about 5 percent of the global population.

As of today, April 30, 2020, 1,050,493 of our citizens are infected with the potentially fatal virus, but experts warn that a lack of testing could mean the number is exponentially higher. Sadly, in fewer than three months, 61,408 Americans have passed away owing to complications related to COVID-19. You might be aware that 58,220 Americans died in the Vietnam war over nearly two decades, from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975.

Nearly every aspect of our lives has changed in a short time, and such alterations in how we conduct our lives – social distancing and wearing face masks – are not expected to end anytime soon. We are instructed by public health officials not to gather in large numbers, especially in confined spaces where the virus can easily be transmitted and contracted.

It should go without saying that jails and prisons, housing millions of Americans, across the country meet the definition of confined spaces. So, it should hardly come as a surprise to learn that COVID-19 cases are surging in penal institutions across the country, including those in the Golden State.

Coronavirus Spike in Orange County Jails

Last Wednesday, Orange County Sheriff’s officials ramped up testing when it was discovered that 26 inmates tested positive for the virus, Patch reports. As to be expected, more inmates were found to have the virus; 82 tested positive for COVID-19.

The original 26 positive cases were individuals who exhibited symptoms. However, public health experts have warned that many carriers of COVID-19 are asymptomatic, which means that they do not show the telltale signs of potentially having the virus. Such people can have and spread the coronavirus unknowingly.

“We’re not seeing a drastic increase of symptomatic individuals,” said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. “But because of more tests available, we’re seeing a high amount of those people (who had been asymptomatic in quarantine) coming back positive.” 

Braun reported that of the 147 tests administered since the first inmate tested positive in the jails last month, 56 came back negative, according to the article. Of course, correctional officers at Orange County jails are at risk too; three deputies tested positive for coronavirus. None of the inmates nor deputies have required hospitalization.

Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney

At the Law Office of Ronald G. Brower, we specialize in many areas of the law, from aggravated-assault to white-collar crimes. If you are facing criminal charges, then please reach out to Attorney Brower for a consultation. With more than three decades of experience, he has the expertise to advocate for you effectively.