State prison and correctional-health officials said an inmate who fell sick last week became the first to test positive for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus.
The inmate, identified only as a male California State Prison, Los Angeles County inmate, was isolated soon after telling health care staff he did not feel well Thursday, according to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation statement Sunday evening.
After receiving a test Friday, the positive result came back Sunday, officials said.
Officials said they have notified Los Angeles County’s public health department, and plan to investigate for possible contacts and quarantine any inmates or personnel who may be at risk. Any inmate who presents symptoms will be tested, and officials said in a statement that they plan to provide testing-number updates.
“CDCR and CCHCS remain agile in response to any potential case of COVID-19 based on the factors and risk related to that case with the top priority being the safety and protection of staff, the population, volunteers, visitors and surrounding communities,” the statement read in part.
“(Los Angeles County) health care and custody professionals take the health and safety of staff and the incarcerated population very seriously and are taking all appropriate measures to minimize exposure to others.”
According to a department timeline, the department canceled normal prisoner visitations March 11, began postponing family visits March 16 and stopped transfers of out-of-state parolees or inmates on March 17 and limited inmate transfers to essential movement last Thursday.
But the department logged its first staff cases Friday at California State Prison, Sacramento, and Folsom Prison, as well as two more Saturday at California Institution for Men, according to a department status page.
Anyone seeking more information about the department’s efforts may visit https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/covid19/.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
