From 1 to 59: Number of Miami jail inmates with the coronavirus surges as testing expands

Fifty-nine Miami-Dade jail inmates have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a surge resulting from expanded testing behind bars, officials said Tuesday.

The county corrections department said no inmates have died and that more than 700 — whether they had symptoms or not — have been tested so far in partnership with Jackson Health, which runs medical services for the jails. With more than 3,000 inmates locked up in three Miami-Dade facilities, that leaves more than three-quarters of the inmates yet to be tested.

The 59 cases represent a dramatic increase from the county’s last public advisory on April 9, when corrections reported just one inmate at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional had tested positive. The county also reported that 58 staff members have tested positive, with 240 testing negative.

“We are continuing enhanced, rigorous cleaning and sanitation of our facilities, have mandated the use of protective masks for all staff and inmates since April 3, 2020, and continue to emphasize the practice of strict social distancing to the greatest extent possible,” the department said in a statement issued in the early evening.

The reported increase comes as advocates for inmates continue a court battle with the county over conditions at the Metro West Detention Center, where inmates have reported that numerous wings remain in isolation over possible sick inmates.

Although South Florida jails have lowered their populations drastically to curb the spread of the coronavirus, close quarters and security challenges make social distancing difficult.

Civil rights groups, such as the Dream Defenders, which filed the lawsuit, say the jails remain a “petri dish” for infections and accuse officials of underreporting positive tests.

The jail system has only intermittently released details on positive tests among the ranks of inmates and corrections officers.

In contrast, the Florida prison system — which has undergone intense criticism over reporting of COVID-19 cases — has introduced expanded daily updates on its website, including information on how many inmates are being isolated over infection concerns. The Florida Department of Corrections reports 98 staff members have been infected, and 123 inmates, along with four deaths.

In Miami-Dade, the Dream Defenders and other civil-rights group are still engaged in a federal lawsuit filed by “medically vulnerable” inmates being held at Metro West.

Days after it was filed, a Miami federal judge ordered that inmates be given supplies of soap and disinfectant, and measures be taken to ensure social distancing. Miami-Dade County has said it has already been following the measures mandated by the judge, including requiring officers to wear masks while on duty.

The Dream Defenders, along other organizers and relatives of the incarcerated, held a rally outside the Pre-Trial Detention Center on April 14 lobbying for the release of all people being held on bondable offense. A petition lobbying for the effort has also been signed by groups such as the ACLU of Florida, New Florida Majority, and the Community Justice Project.

The pandemic has also been a cause for concern for Miami-Dade jail officers, who like responders across the nation, have struggled to obtain enough masks, gloves and other equipment that might help protect them from the virus.

Officers have even resorted to making their own masks. The department received more than 5,200 donated masks to help curb the spread of the virus.