‘The numbers don’t lie.’ COVID-19 hits Miami’s justice system with deaths, staff shortages

The coronavirus is hitting Miami-Dade’s criminal justice system hard. In the past week, amid a surge in COVID-19 outbreaks across the state, at least five South Florida police officers have died because of complications from the virus. As officials have moved to limit the number of people gathering inside courtrooms, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office reported Monday that in August, at least 33 employees have reported positive. And in Miami-Dade jails, officials now say they may be extending shifts to help deal with the rising number of staff members — and inmates — who have been infected ...