Fulton County Jail received more than 4,000 masks, Thursday, for protection from the coronavirus.
Kartik Bhatt and members of the community nonprofit Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh donated the masks. Thirty-three inmates have tested positive for the virus since March, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tracy Flanagan said.
The donation includes KN95 and other surgical grade masks. Flanagan said most of the masks are intend for inmates housed at the South Jail Annex in Union City.
Nearly 2,200 inmates are currently at the main jail on Rice Street, she said, adding that new inmates and detainees are isolated for 14 days during the pandemic.
“We had the National Guard come out three times to assist with testing,” Flanagan added.
All inmates will be tested starting next week, she said. More than 200 have been tested so far.
Earlier in May, Fulton County officials announced that about $25 million in CARES Act funds will be spent on a COVID-19 isolation unit at the jail.
Bhatt is a member of the Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts. In a statement on the mask donation, Flanagan said Bhatt was also catering a luncheon featuring Indian cuisine to show appreciation for “front line heroes” at the jail.
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