SPANISH FORK, Utah — Two inmates who were working as inmate workers of the kitchen facility tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
The two inmates who contracted the virus have been at the jail for an extended amount of time, so it is unknown how they got the virus.
The inmates who work in the kitchen were isolated from the main jail months ago and are regularly tested for COVID-19 before they work.
Inmates rotate in and out of the kitchen and help prepare meals for around 300 people. They also help with the "Meals on Wheels" program in Utah County.
Civilian staff and "Meals on Wheels"drivers have either gotten tested for the virus or are self-isolating according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sherriff's Office.
Nobody will return to work unless they have a second test that shows they are negative for the virus.
Sgt. Cannon also said early on the kitchen staff prepared over 3,000 frozen meals, which will be enough to support the jail and meals on wheels program until Monday.
Beyond Monday, they will be able to make cold meals and sack lunches to make sure nobody goes hungry while staff is recovering.
The jail has been working to deep clean the kitchen area and living quarters of the inmates. The jail also has the ability to isolate inmates and make sure air is properly ventilated.
