More Than 1,300 Inmates Test Positive for COVID-19 At Ohio Prisons

Over 1,300 inmates have tested positive for coronavirus at three different prisons in Ohio.

According to state officials, there are 1,057 confirmed cases of the deadly virus at the Marion Correctional Institution, 202 Pickaway Correctional Institution, and 101 Franklin Medical Center.

At Marion Correctional Institution, 103 staff members also tested positive, and one staff member has died.

JoEllen Smith, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, said that inmates are being isolated, and sanitation crews have been sent in to disinfect common areas. Those who have tested positive are being separated from the rest of the inmates

Starting Thursday, all inmates and staff were ordered to be tested for coronavirus.

Officials have suspended visitation and volunteer activities and are now working out different methods for inmates to communicate with their loved ones, including free video chats, phone calls, and emails.

Smith said that mealtimes had been cut back to twice a day, but calories at mealtime were increased from 2,500 to 2,700.