49.9 F
Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

2 inmates die and more than 650 people test positive for COVID-19 at Ocala prison

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of two inmates and infected more than 650 people as the virus continues to run amok at the women’s state prison in Ocala.

The two inmate deaths were reported Wednesday at the Lowell Correctional Institution, located at 11120 N.W. Gainesville Rd. in Ocala. No specific information was provided about those prisoners.

The Florida Department of Corrections also reported Wednesday that 629 inmates and 22 staff members at the facility have tested positive for the deadly virus. Another 423 inmates have tested negative and 980 others are awaiting test results, the FDOC report says.

In addition, 1,224 inmates have been placed in medical quarantine, with another 11 in security quarantine, the report says.

The Marion Correctional Institution, located at 3269 NW 105th St. in Ocala, also is reporting nine confirmed COVID-19 cases among four inmates and five staff members. Six inmates have tested negative and two are awaiting test results. In addition, two prisoners are in medical isolation, 120 are in medical quarantine and six are in security quarantine, the report says.

Three inmates also have died of COVID-19 at the Sumter Correctional Institution, located at 9544 County Road 476B in Bushnell. That facility also is reporting 128 positive results among 103 inmates and 25 staff members. Sixty-seven others have tested negative and three inmates are in security quarantine.

Inmates are placed in medical isolation when they are suspected or presenting symptoms of an infectious illness. They are placed in medical quarantine when they may have had close contact with someone who has tested positive or is showing symptoms of an illness. And those in security quarantine are separated because they recently transferred into a correctional facility, according to FDOC.