As the omicron variant continues to drive up case numbers in our state with 18,229 new cases and 275 deaths added to the dashboard as of Jan. 26, Maricopa County’s jails are also experiencing a spike that’s exacerbated by a staffing shortage they’ve been experiencing for some time.

About 400 of the more than 6,000 people in the jails tested positive for COVID-19 in January, and now, the Sheriff’s Office has implemented new emergency rules in at least one of its jails, according to Katya Schwenk.

Schwenk has been reporting all of this for Phoenix New Times.

The Show spoke with her to learn about the situation.

More Stories From KJZZ

• Advocacy groups boycott Senate hearing on election bills
• Phoenix responds to citizen petitions advocating for unhoused people living in tents