Update: This story was updated Thursday to reflect that all inmates in the trailer were informed they had tested positive for COVID-19. .

As Greene County reported a record 83 inmates and 29 staff had tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday evening, inmates and their families say they've been left largely unprotected.

Six current and two former inmates as well as four loved ones of incarcerated people told the News-Leader that late and inadequate masking protocols, as well as a lack of physical distancing and other safeguards, left potentially hundreds of inmates exposed to the virus.

The inmates who spoke with a reporter were all housed in the facility's open, bunk-style "trailer jail," where the outbreak reportedly originated.

In a list of responses to emailed questions, officials again referenced the video call, highlighting that inmates in the background were not practicing physical distancing.

Wednesday afternoon, Persinger said deputies brought people who had previously tested positive back to the trailer.

On Thursday, Persinger and another trailer inmate, Paul Halphin, said in messages jail staff informed everyone they had tested positive for the virus. .

According to the sheriff's office, 170 of the roughly 750 inmates and 102 officers at the jail had been tested as of Wednesday

Of those, nearly half of the inmates and 28 percent of detention deputies had tested positive

When asked whether department officials were concerned about a more widespread outbreak given the number of officers that had tested positive, a spokesman responded "Yes, that is a concern."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for testing in correctional facilities recommends all people with close contacts of known positive cases be tested as quickly as possible

Greene County's coronavirus outbreak began in the trailer jail, where physical distancing is difficult. (Photo: Andrew Jansen/Springfield News-Leader)

Winston wrote in the email that four local labs, including Jordan Valley Community Health, CoxHealth, Mercy and Dynamic DNA were processing tests, but he said people had only been tested if they were in the trailer or if they were brought to the facility and showed symptoms

He said he knew some people who were sick and failed to report it because they worried about what would happen next, and several inmates and family members reported being shut out of calls or visits with spotty WiFi when discussing the virus.