State Prison Offender Dies after Testing Positive for COVID-19

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

“Losing a loved one during a holiday season is always difficult and we sympathize with the family,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We continue working hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons because the health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority.”

The offender tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 17. He was hospitalized on Dec. 16 for COVID-related symptoms and remained in medical isolation receiving treatment. He did not report any worsening symptoms and was found unresponsive and pulseless Thursday morning, Dec. 24. and death was pronounced at approximately 7:10 a.m.

The offender was a 68-year-old male who had underlying health conditions. Given his family’s right to privacy and the confidentiality of prison offender records, the Department of Public Safety will not further identify the individual.

Prisons leadership has taken more than four dozen actions throughout the North Carolina prison system to try to prevent transmission of the virus. They are found here: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/adult-correction/prisons/prisons-info-covid-19.
 
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