Wind Advisory
from SAT 12:00 PM MST until SAT 10:00 PM MST, Western Pima County including Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven, Baboquivari Mountains including Kitt Peak, Kofa, Central La Paz, Aguila Valley, Southeast Yuma County, Gila River Valley, Northwest Valley, Tonopah Desert, Gila Bend, Buckeye/Avondale, Cave Creek/New River, Deer Valley, Central Phoenix, North Phoenix/Glendale, New River Mesa, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Rio Verde/Salt River, East Valley, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, Superior, Northwest Pinal County, West Pinal County, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Tonto Basin, Mazatzal Mountains, Pinal/Superstition Mountains, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, San Carlos, Dripping Springs, Globe/Miami, Southeast Gila County

MCSO details new measures during COVID-19 pandemic

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is adapting to the new normal of the COVID-19 crisis, which has directly impacted deputies, correctional officers, and inmates.

On Thursday, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone held a news conference to provide an update on the measures MCSO is taking.

For MCSO, managing the jail population is a top priority, with the population now down by a little more than 1,500. It started at around 7,000 in January.

As of Thursday, no inmates have tested postive for COVID-19. 28 inmates have been tested at last check, and seven are waiting for results.

"We’re trying time be creative. I'm looking for ways to ensure that we give our employees some later that is effective in managing the reduction and mitigation of potential exposure of this virus," said Sheriff Penzone.

Sheriff Penzone says MCSO has ordered cloth masks from a private vendor in Virginia, as a back up plan in case the supply of N95 masks cant be counted on as inventory is depleted for correctional officers.

Even though no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, there are 21 inmates in medical housing for coronavirus symptoms.

"My understanding is if they deem the person is symptomatic and theyre not able to identify a cause other than COVID, then they’ll apply a COVID test, which are limited," said Sheriff Penzone.

Penzone says 75,000 more surgical masks are coming in this week for inmates. Each inmate will get one, as well as soap and cleaning supplies. Inmates wont be denied more if needed as well.

Meanwhile, dispatchers now ask COVID-19 specific questions during calls for service, to determine if direct contact is required

Sheriff Penzone says consistent crimes, including domestic violence, have not spiked or dropped.

"Depending on when this comes to conclusion, anxiety is a growing force, as is depression, impact on you economically, those other factors," said Sheriff Penzone.

Penzone also says multiple businesses have not followed the Governor Doug Ducey's executive orders, with one bar and restaurant has been cited for not complying. Penzone wants owners to realize the risks

"It’s not just affecting you. It’s affecting the quality of life of those who are putting their lives on the line.," said Sheriff Penzone.

FOX 10 is working to keep you up to date with local and national developments on COVID-19. Every weekday on FOX News Now, our live coverage begins at 7 a.m. MST reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.

You can watch live in your FOX 10 News app or on the FOX 10 Facebook page.

Get the latest coronavirus news by downloading the FOX 10 News App. Our promise is that our alerts are there to inform you - not scare you.

You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com

Additional resources

LIVE: Interactive Coronavirus case data and map

FULL COVERAGE: fox10phoenix.com/coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How it spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, FAQ

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

https://espanol.cdc.gov/enes/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html (In Spanish/En Español)

Arizona COVID-19 Response - Public resources, FAQ, webinars

https://www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus

https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/es/covid-19/index.php#novel-coronavirus-home (In Spanish/En Español)

In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends: 

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

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