December 24, 2020 — Twenty-two people at the Mendocino County jail are known to be infected with covid-19, according to Sheriff Matt Kendall. Seventeen inmates and five officers have tested positive for the virus. The outbreak is currently confined to the men’s jail. Public Health Officer Dr. Andrew Coren said PCR testing was done on December 22 and 23, and more testing will be done over the weekend. Kendall said 100% of the population, which is currently about 260 people, including inmates and staff, will be tested. The population usually goes up over the weekend. The jail has nine cells with a special system of non-recirculating air for covid patients, and one wing of the facility has been set aside for isolation. Some of the inmates are symptomatic, but not severely enough for hospitalization at this point.