The Governor of Ohio, Governor Mike DeWin, was recently asked by the Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish for assistance at the Cuyahoga County Jail which is currently experiencing in a surge in Covid-19 Cases.

Ohio sends 25 military reserve members to help at Cuyahoga County Jail amid COVID-19 surge

With staff and inmates alike having tested positive for COVID-19, Ohio has sent 25 military reserve members to help at the Cuyahoga County Jail.

CLEVELAND — With COVID-19 cases surging among staff and inmates at the Cuyahoga County Jail, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish has asked Ohio Governor Mike DeWine for assistance. The Governor has responded by sending 25 military reserve members to assist at the county jail, which has seen 160 inmates of its 1,537-person population and 42 corrections staff testing positive as of Thursday, Dec. 23.

 

In a statement, Budish said:

“We thank Governor DeWine for his continued and much-needed support as COVID continues to rage through Cuyahoga County. 

 

“Recently, we have seen different variants spread quickly throughout our community, which has sadly resulted in our county having the third most positive cases per capita in the entire nation. The County Jail is no exception and unfortunately reflects this grave trend with 160 inmates and 42 corrections staff testing positive as of today. 

 

“The safety, health, and well-being of all members of our community are of utmost importance and we will continue to do everything we can to respond to this new wave.

“In order to protect our prisoners, staff, and community, I asked the Governor for help. He immediately responded by offering to send 25 members of the Ohio Military Reserve to help us in the jail. I am deeply appreciative.”

 

Added Cuyahoga County Sheriff Christopher Viland:

“I want to thank the Governor and the County Executive, as well as the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and the Ohio Military Reserve, for their rapid and considered response to our requests for assistance during this extraordinary surge of COVID in the County Jail. 

 

“We continue to work every day to try to ensure that both our inmate populations and our staff are supported as much as possible during this ongoing public health crisis.”