One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Now There's A Coronavirus Outbreak At The Women's Prison In Corona
The California Institution for Women in Corona. (Courtesy Of The California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation)
Another state prison is experiencing a coronavirus outbreak: This time it’s the California Institution for Women in Corona.
After a few inmates were confirmed sick last week, the prison worked with local public health officials to ramp up testing. On May 8 and May 12, a total of 400 inmates were tested, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
"We are seeing an increase in positive cases," although most inmates are asymptomatic, the department said in a statement.
The entire prison is now quarantined "until further notice," it said, adding that the facility will severely limit movement internally and suspend all activities where it can't achieve physical distancing.
A previously unoccupied housing unit will be used to isolate those inmates who tested positive but are asymptomatic. Those with symptoms will be treated at the prison's treatment center or at an outside facility "as needed," the department said.
The prison will pursue “additional mass testing” of inmates, while also offering testing to all staff, it added.
Sponsored message
So far, in California's state prison system only the men's prison in Chino and the state prison in L.A. County have had significant numbers of coronavirus cases.
MORE ON DETENTION FACILITIES
- Congresswoman Calls Tour Of Coronavirus-Ravaged Terminal Island Prison 'Disturbing'
- Judge To Juvenile Justice Advocates: The Kids Can't Go Home
- Lawsuit Claims LA County Fails to Protect Jail Inmates from Coronavirus
- Federal Judge Orders Adelanto ICE Detention Center To Reduce Number Of Detainees
- Advocates Push CA's Top Court To Release More Detained Juveniles
- '10 To A Room, A Few Feet Apart: Advocates Say That LA County's Incarcerated Youth Are At High Risk
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
UPDATE:
7:03 p.m.: An earlier version of this article said the prison was working with officials from San Bernardino County. The prison is in Riverside County.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
