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County adds nine new COVID-19 cases as new cases slow at prison

Friday, August 7, 2020
By JARED JERNAGAN, Editor
Putnamville Correctional Facility
Courtesy photo

Following a surge of 43 new cases when COVID-19 statistics were reported on Thursday, Putnam County added nine new cases in Friday’s statistics.

The sudden spike was largely attributed to a recent outbreak at Putnamville Correctional Facility.

The prison, which in the past few new days had jumped from 35 cases to 87, added six new cases in its Friday reporting, bringing its total to 93.

The county now stands at 286 total cases, with eight positive tests occurring on Thursday, Aug. 6 and one occurring on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Indiana Department of Correction Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kristen Dauss told the Banner Graphic on Thursday that IDOC officials have taken steps to slow the spread of coronavirus at the prison, including isolating infected offenders, quarantining those who may have been exposed and taking extra cleaning and hygienic precautions.

Putnamville currently has 53 offenders in isolation, 244 more in quarantine and 36 who have already recovered from the illness.

The prison has issued 389 tests to offenders, up from 300 in the Thursday report.

Outside the prison, numbers appear to be increasing only incrementally in Putnam County.

A total of 3,856 individuals have been tested in Putnam County.

While there has not been a COVID-19 testing site available in the county in recent weeks, on Thursday Putnam County Hospital announced a new plan for curbside testing.

The testing will be available by appointment only, which can be made by calling the PCH COVID-19 hotline at 301-7019.

Those who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as coughing or difficulty breathing are encouraged to call their healthcare providers.

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  • That prison is just a breeding ground for COVID. All those inmates in dorms interacting with each other. I feel bad for the staff that have to work there.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Sun, Aug 9, 2020, at 2:15 PM

  • Have they stopped Family visitations ?

    -- Posted by sierrasusanne on Mon, Aug 10, 2020, at 11:17 AM

  • They stopped visitation in March. I feel sorry for staff but feel really bad for the prisoners. It’s like being locked in a cage with a rabid dog, nowhere to run. They shipped in well over 300 prisoners from Miami Cty and IYC a few weeks ago, right before the outbreak! Think about it. The positive count here was way less until they start bringing in from outside. Why don’t they stop that for now?

    -- Posted by tlsande2 on Mon, Aug 10, 2020, at 4:08 PM

  • The inmates put themselves there, so I have no sympathy for them. Save your sympathy for the essential workers.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Tue, Aug 11, 2020, at 9:15 AM

  • Thank you Queen for stating the obvious!!!! Why would anyone "feel really bad of the prisoners?" Also, just an observation from someone who isn't an English teacher--you don't feel bad for someone, you feel badly.

    -- Posted by gustave&zelma on Tue, Aug 11, 2020, at 10:40 AM

  • Oh - Queen. I just praised you elsewhere for another post.

    I can’t praise you on this one.

    Criminals yes - but still humans.

    -- Posted by GladysK on Tue, Aug 11, 2020, at 12:31 PM
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