Topics Related to COVID-19

The North Carolina prison system has received its first allocation of coronavirus vaccine, and inoculations began Wednesday morning.  “I urge everyone to get vaccinated,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “This is our best shot to protect the health and safety of our colleagues and their families as well as the men and women in our custody. Science has thrown us a lifeline. Everyone should grab ahold.”

A Hyde Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, died at a hospital on Saturday, Jan. 16.“The loss of a life due to COVID-19 is a tragedy and difficult for everyone,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “The health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority as we continue to do all we can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons.”

A Rutherford Correctional Center offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We continue to work diligently 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,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons.The offender was hospitalized on Jan. 11, when he tested positive for COVID-19. His condition worsened, and he died later the same day.

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We are working hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons. The health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons.The offender tested positive on Dec. 17. He was hospitalized on Dec. 24. His condition worsened, and he died on Jan 11.

A Neuse Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We are continuing to work hard to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our prisons. The health and safety of the staff and the offender population continues to be our top priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons.The offender tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 18, the same day he was hospitalized. His condition worsened, and he died on Jan 11.

Nearly 4,000 air purifiers are being installed in the ductwork of 53 North Carolina prisons in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“The health and safety of the staff and the offenders in our custody is our number one priority,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “These devices will help to stop the airborne spread of the virus in our facilities and is another tool to use in our ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of this awful virus.”

These “air ionizers” work by making the virus particles heavier and easier to filter.

N.C. Department of Public Safety, including its divisions of Emergency Management and the N.C. National Guard, are actively planning and coordinating with N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to create options for how Guard personnel may augment existing vaccination resources.

The North Carolina National Guard mobilized approximately 50 personnel yesterday and today in support of the anticipated demand requests from state partners and county health departments. The Guard will be operational this week.

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We continue working diligently 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,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We sympathize with the offender’s family, as losing a loved one is hard enough, but especially so during the holiday season.”

An offender at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We continue working diligently 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,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We sympathize with the offender’s family, as losing a loved one is hard enough, but especially so during the holiday season.”

An Alexander Correctional Institution offender with pre-existing medical conditions, who tested positive for COVID-19, has died at a hospital.“We sympathize with the offender’s family, as losing a loved one is hard enough, but especially so during the holiday season,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “We continue working diligently 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.”