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Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon tests positive for COVID-19

Posted at 12:39 PM, Nov 19, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-21 11:04:31-05

WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon has tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement, he tested negative Nov. 13 by the department; on Nov. 17, he had a rise in temperature and had a second test, where he tested positive.

"I'm on a steroid treatment and antibiotic," Napoleon told Action News.

Napoleon's brother, former Highland Park Police Chief Hilton Napoleon, spent 71 days in the intensive care unit after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Their family has lost six loved ones to COVID-19.

“I’ve lost an uncle and five cousins," Napoleon said.

RELATED: Highland Park Police Chief in ICU with COVID-19

Since March 2020, the WCSO has lost one Commander, and two deputies to COVID-19.

Since testing began in May, the WCSO has had 96 inmates test positive for COVID-19; 60 were from mass testing, while 35 were newly booked inmates, and one in-house inmate. As of today, there are currently 20 employees whom have tested positive.

Napoleon said he's overwhelmed by the outpouring support.

"I'm prayerful, he said. "Folks from around the world have reached out to me." The WCSO conducts tests for all employees everyday at both Jail 1 and Jail 3.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.

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