Two Franklin Correctional Center offenders died Friday after testing positive for COVID-19.
The first offender, a man in his early 60s, had pre-existing medical conditions and passed away at a hospital on Friday.
A second inmate tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 7. He was hospitalized on Feb. 17 and also passed away Friday.
Neither inmates were identified.
“We are continuing our extensive efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons. The health and safety of the staff and the offender population is our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “I urge the staff and offenders to be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. It’s important.”
An early review shows that COVID-19 was at least a contributing factor to the deaths.
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