An inmate in California has tested positive for coronavirus, making them the first Covid-19 patient within the state’s prison system.
The patient who is an inmate at California State Prison, Los Angeles County is in stable condition and is being treated on site, according to a news release from the California Department of Corrections.
He has been in isolation since March 19, after telling staff he wasn’t feeling well. He was tested the next day, and received his positive test result on March 22.
Movement has been restricted at the institution while authorities investigate his contacts, and those deemed at-risk will be quarantined.
California’s outbreak: California is one of the worst affected states in the US, with at least 1,468 confirmed cases and 32 deaths. California is also one of eight states to issue a stay at home order.
Issues in prisons: Other countries have struggled to deal with the coronavirus outbreak and prisons. At least 23 inmates are dead, and 87 injured following nationwide prison riots in Colombia prompted by coronavirus infection fears. At least 11 prisoners died in coronavirus-related riots in Italian prisons. In Iran, 85,000 prisoners were temporarily sent home to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
source: edition.cnn.com