LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A week after the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it was canceling normal in-person visits at the Lake County Jail, it said it was adding new restrictions to protect against the threat of COVID-19.

As of Wednesday at 5 p.m., family visitation also has been canceled until further notice, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

So far, no cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, have been confirmed in Lake County, but cases have been reported in other counties around the region, including Humboldt, Mendocino and Sonoma.

“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office values visitation as an essential part of rehabilitation, but at this time the department must make difficult decisions in order to protect the health and wellness of all who live and work in our jail,” said Paulich.

He said legal visits will continue to be held, but they will be restricted to behind glass. Those requiring face-to-face legal visitation must receive prior approval from the jail commander.