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State and county prisons are facing COVID-19 outbreaks, with the state Department of Corrections and SCI Muncy officials report the first death of an inmate with COVID-19 on Monday.
The 62-year-old inmate, whose name will not be provided, was serving a 10- to 40-year sentence for burglary.
She had underlying medical conditions and was taken to the hospital on Jan. 20, a news release from the state Department of Corrections said. She tested positive for COVID-19 while at the hospital. She had been at SCI Muncy since April 2013.
"We are experiencing the same thing that our counties are experiencing, and we are following very strict procedures to mitigate the virus' impact on our state prisons," Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said, according to the news release. "I've directed our staff to act aggressively and quickly when inmates report influenza-like illnesses, and that includes isolating and quarantining inmates, locking down units or entire prisons as needed, conducting regular cleanings and even 72-hour deep cleanings in order to protect staff and inmates."
Lycoming County Prison inmates also have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a recent news release by Matthew McDermott, administrative director for Lycoming County's government.
"Over the past two days, five Lycoming County Prison inmates have tested positive for COVID. Each inmate is being closely monitored by prison medical staff," the news release said. "At this juncture, none have required hospitalization or care at an outside medical facility."
In response, the prison has increased screening and testing of the inmate population and has increased already-enhanced cleaning protocols.
Prison administration is in communication with an epidemiologist at the state Department of Health who works with corrections departments.
"The prison has been steadfast in its COVID-mitigation measures, and these are the first positive tests among inmates roughly one year after the pandemic came into the national spotlight," the news release said. "The prison is implementing precautions to mitigate further exposure and is making every effort to keep the inmates and staff safe, while operating a safe and secure facility."