King County corrections facilities report first two positive coronavirus cases

Two former inmates who were arrested for driving under the influence charges over the weekend and later released have tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first positive cases in King County corrections facilities.

The Health and Medical Area Command is working to locate the former inmates to connect them with resources and safe places to quarantine, if needed.

Both inmates were booked at King County Correctional Facility then transferred to the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. There, they were placed in “droplet precaution,” which is a standard practice recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of infectious disease through fluids released by coughing and sneezing.

One inmate was booked for DUI at 1 a.m. Friday, released Saturday afternoon. The second was booked around 3 a.m. Saturday and released late Monday.

King County Executive Dow Constantine had directed that the inmate population be decreased quickly and safely to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Gov. Jay Inslee and the Secretary of the state Department of Corrections, Stephen Sinclair, also outlined a plan to release up to 950 nonviolent offenders to reduce the incarcerated population and allow for better social distancing.

Today, the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention reports that there are 1,300 adults in custody, down from 1,899 on March 13. The population at the Children and Family Justice Center is 33, down from 43. Vulnerable populations are being cared for at a designated housing unit at the Maleng Regional Justice Center.

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