On 1-28-2021 the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Cherokee County Health Department after the first few cases were identified. The health Department tested all Detention staff and sixty-eight inmates on this date.

All are isolated and none are hospitalized. The Sheriff’s Office has notified Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital and Cherokee County EMS. The Detention Center remains fully staffed with a nurse on site. The Sheriff’s Office continues to work with the Health Department to ensure a successful conclusion.

Further testing will be conducted to contain and mitigate further spread.