Terrell Leonard is being held at Allegheny County Jail on a probation violation.
In late January, he learned that one of the correctional officers who worked on his pod, 2D, tested positive for covid-19.
A short time later, he said in a court declaration, pod workers and then inmates on his pod started to experience symptoms as well.
By Feb. 1, Leonard, 28, who has sleep apnea, a deviated septum and allergies, said he developed a fever, sore throat and hot and cold sweats. Within two days, he said he had lost his sense of taste and smell, had body aches and difficulty breathing.