NewsLocal NewsMichigan

Actions

Michigan prison hot spot says 12th inmate has died of virus

Posted at 5:32 AM, Apr 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-28 08:36:04-04

COLDWATER (AP) — A 12th inmate has died from COVID-19 complications at a southern Michigan prison where more than 50% of inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Lakeland prison in Branch County has a large share of Michigan's older prisoners and is the first to test everyone.

The Corrections Department said 785 of roughly 1,400 prisoners at Lakeland have tested positive. Only a fraction of all prisoners have been tested statewide, but the infection rate was 56%.

There have been at least 33 deaths. Separately, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit to try to force the release of immigrants with health problems at the Calhoun County jail. They're being held there by federal immigration authorities.