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COVID-19 Outbreak: 16 New Cases Detected at Newport Facility

Waterbury, VT – Sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were detected at Northern State Correctional Facility (NSCF) in Newport. Thirteen of the cases were identified in the incarcerated population and three among staff in outbreak testing conducted on November 29.

A total of 40 incarcerated individuals and 14 staff have tested positive in the NSCF outbreak, which began on November 10. There are now a total of 13 active incarcerated cases and six active staff cases at NSCF; 27 individuals and eight staff have been medically cleared of the virus. The facility remains on full lockdown and contact tracing on the new positives is underway. Further testing dates are being scheduled in partnership with Vermont Department of Health (VDH).

Active outbreaks have been declared at two Vermont facilities: NSCF and Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury, where one staff and one incarcerated individual are currently COVID-positive. Statewide, there are currently 14 positive incarcerated cases and 17 positive staff cases across six correctional facilities and three field offices.

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.

Updates and data on the COVID-19 response in Vermont’s correctional facilities can be found at https://doc.vermont.gov/covid-19-information-page. Prior press updates can be found at https://doc.vermont.gov/content/press-releases.

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