Watch: Sheriff Salazar briefing on COVID-19 in jail, enforcement of new face mask order in Bexar County

Briefing took place at 2:30 p.m. Monday

SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said on Monday that the risk for COVID-19 now appears to be greater outside the jail than inside.

Salazar told reporters that there are currently 33 positive COVID-19 cases among inmates at the Bexar County Jail. He said each of the cases was caught at intake and said he doesn’t believe there is a single case currently that was contracted inside the jail.

To date there have been 473 COVID-19 cases among inmates.

Salazar said cases of the new coronavirus are up among deputies. There are 22 deputies currently with COVID-19 -- 16 are detention officers and 16 work in law enforcement.

The sheriff also talked about how deputies will be helping to implement Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff’s new order that requires businesses to have a health and safety policy. The policy requires face coverings for employees and visitors.

Daily COVID-19 cases hit new high in Bexar County

Businesses that do not follow the order can be fined up to $1,000, but Salazar said deputies efforts are more about informing than enforcing.

Salazar has previously said that issuing a citation will be the last resort.

Watch the full press briefing in the video player above.

Read also:

The rules, penalties and exceptions as Bexar County mask order goes in effect

New Bexar County executive order mandates face coverings at all businesses when social distancing is not possible

12 Texas bars temporarily lose alcohol permits after violating COVID-19 health protocols, officials say

Leading SA: Judge Wolff urges residents, businesses to abide by facial covering executive order

San Antonio metro area named COVID-19 hotspot, CNBC reports

Austin mayor says residents are now ‘three times more likely’ to catch COVID-19


About the Authors:

Rebecca Salinas is an award-winning digital journalist who joined KSAT in 2019. She reports on a variety of topics for KSAT 12 News.

Julie Moreno has worked in local television news for more than 25 years. She came to KSAT as a news producer in 2000. After producing thousands of newscasts, she transitioned to the digital team in 2015. She writes on a wide variety of topics from breaking news to trending stories and manages KSAT’s daily digital content strategy.