SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Officials with the Department of Corrections report the first death of an inmate with COVID-19 at the SCI Laurel Highlands facility.
This is the 17th inmate to die with COVID-19.
The 87-year-old inmate, who died Tuesday, had been enrolled in hospice care at the prison and had a do not resuscitate order.
According to officials, the inmate was serving a 53- to 106-year sentence for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 16 years of age and entered the state prison system on May 19, 2014.
“We continue our battle against this dangerous invisible enemy,” Corrections Secretary John Wetzel said. “With fall upon us, we are experiencing a resurgence. That is why it is vital to continue our aggressive mitigation efforts. We cannot let our guard down.”
As of Tuesday, 21 SCI Laurel Highlands employees have reported testing positive for COVID-19 and 87 active inmate COVID-19 cases, all of which are in isolation either at the prison’s infirmary or local hospitals.
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