3 Allegheny County Jail inmates sue county amid first positive coronavirus test

Three Allegheny County Jail inmates sued the county Wednesday — the same day the jail reported its first case of an inmate testing positive for covid-19 — claiming they are at risk of being infected because of dangerous conditions inside the facility.

Inmates Michael Graham, Alexus Diggs and Heather Connolly filed the federal lawsuit contending they have health conditions, including hepatitis C, hypertension and asthma that make them susceptible to infection. The lawsuit claims the jail is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and their constitutional rights.

It is impossible for inmates to remain 6 feet apart as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and inmates are forced to share a toilet, sink and a desk, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit seeks the release of all inmates with underlying medical conditions.

The county declined to comment.

The jail on Wednesday reported its first case of an inmate testing positive for covid-19.

The inmate and cellmate have have been quarantined, according to Allegheny County. Neither was identified, and additional details about their conditions were not immediately available.

Officials on March 31 announced the release of 622 inmates from the jail to slow the spread of coronavirus by reducing crowding in the jail.

Visits to the jail on First Avenue in Pittsburgh have been restricted since early March. The jail later began screening all staff and inmates for fever and respiratory symptoms, according to Allegheny County.

The jail is following Allegheny County Health Department guidelines for the safety of employees and inmates during the coronavirus pandemic, the county said. Physical distancing continues to be stressedacross the facility, and all inmate pods are on split recreation to reduce potential interactions.

“As with all covid-19 cases, contact tracing will occur and additional precautionary screenings will be conducted for all inmates who had been housed on the same unit as the individual testing positive,” the county said in a statement.