Waterbury, VT – Vermont Department of Corrections (Vermont DOC) is reporting six new cases of Covid-19 among incarcerated individuals and two new staff cases in the outbreak at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport. The cases were detected in testing conducted March 4.
The outbreak began after one staff member and 21 incarcerated individuals tested positive for the virus in testing conducted February 23, 2021. There are currently 115 positive incarcerated cases and 11 positive staff cases at the facility; in addition, 20 positive incarcerated individuals were cleared to leave medical isolation Saturday. The entire facility is being tested again today, and has been in full lockdown since receipt of the first positive results on February 25. All other state facilities are in modified lockdown.
“It’s encouraging to see lower numbers in this round of testing at NSCF, and we’re hopeful this means our mitigation efforts are slowing the spread,” said Commissioner Jim Baker. “Our team and partners continue to work around the clock to stop this outbreak while still keeping all of our facilities safe.”
As of Monday, a total of 14 staff and 116 incarcerated individuals statewide are positive for the virus.
Families and friends of incarcerated individuals are encouraged to reach out to the Vermont DOC Office of Constituency Services with questions: https://doc.vermont.gov/information-inmate-families-and-friends. Click here for the direct link to the online Friends and Family portal.
Daily updates on the COVID-19 response in Vermont’s correctional facilities can be found at https://doc.vermont.gov/covid-19-information-page.
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