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SACRAMENTO, CA – On December 1st, Sheriff Scott Jones received positive test results for Covid-19. He was tested when he developed symptoms late last week after a workplace exposure to an employee that later tested positive.
Jones had earlier stated that he would not use his officers to enforce state COVID-19 violations.
“The Sheriff’s Office recommends that everyone continue exercising safe practices, including wearing masks pursuant to the Governor’s recommendation, especially around those in high-risk groups,” Jones said in June. “However, due to the minor nature of the offense, the potential for negative outcomes during enforcement encounters, and anticipating the various ways in which the order may be violated, it would be inappropriate for deputies to criminally enforce the Governor’s mandate. Accordingly, the Sheriff’s Office will not be doing so. Rather, we will continue to operate in an educational capacity in partnership with the County Health Office.”
Sheriff Jones’ symptoms started last Friday and were mild, including a fever, congestion, light-headedness, and a headache. He started feeling better Sunday morning, and today has almost no remaining symptoms. He is following the recommendations of health officials and will be quarantining. His entire immediate family has been tested and is awaiting results, and will also be quarantining.
The Sheriff is only one of dozens of Sacramento Sheriff’s Office employees who, despite rigorous institutional safety practices and following all recommended personal safety protocols, have contracted the virus while performing their essential duties protecting and serving their community or, as in the Sheriff’s case, supporting and interacting with those dedicated women and men.