Another six Humboldt County jail inmates tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday amid an outbreak that has now infected 21 people, including six correctional officers.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Samantha Karges said in an email to the Journal that all the inmates who tested positive yesterday were in the same housing unit as the other nine inmates who have tested positive for the virus in recent days. Karges all inmates who have tested positive were moved to the jail’s medical unit, where they were being kept in quarantine. Other inmates in the housing unit are being tested daily, she said.

Karges said she she was unable to provide any information regarding the severity of illness being experienced by the inmates and officers.

Prior to the outbreak, Karges said staff were required to test for COVID-19 weekly, while inmates were tested during an initial 10-day quarantine after being booked into the facility. Those who refused testing were required to complete a 14-day quarantine. After the initial intake period, inmates were tested when requested “and/or” symptomatic, while inmates who were symptomatic but refusing tested were moved into isolation in the medical unit.

“All inmates housed are also offered vaccination,” Karges said.

It's unclear what percentage of jail staff and inmates have been fully vaccinated, which have been shown to help prevent infections, extreme disease and death. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors considered mandating vaccinations for county employees in October, but instead decided to require unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly testing for the virus.

Pick up next week's Journal for a more in-depth article about the outbreak.