The Vermont Department of Corrections is reporting a COVID-19 outbreak at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport. One staff member and 21 incarcerated individuals have tested positive for the virus, the department said.
The cases were detected in testing conducted on Tuesday, February 23. The facility was placed under full lockdown on Thursday, February 25, after receipt of the positive results.
Contact tracing is underway. The Vermont DOC and the Vermont Health Department's Rapid Response Team say they are outlining follow-up actions and additional testing.
Statewide, six staff and 30 incarcerated individuals are currently positive for the virus. Full lockdowns are also in place at Northwest State Correctional Facility and Northeast Correctional Complex due to positive cases at those facilities. All other state facilities remain in modified lockdown.
Originally reported by Newport Dispatch.
Photo: Q via Unsplash. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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