Inmates, staff at Bell County Forestry Camp test positive for COVID-19

BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - On Saturday, the Bell County Health Department posted on its Facebook a COVID-19 update for the county.

84 inmates and four staff members at The Bell County Forestry Camp tested positive for COVID-19.

Health department officials reported five new cases on Saturday. The county currently has 179 active cases.

An official with the Kentucky Department of Corrections sent WYMYT a statement. You can read that below:

“We will have updated test results posted on the Department of Corrections website on Monday. DOC is working diligently daily to minimize health risks and is committed to following the guidance from the CDC for Correctional and Detention Facilities. Our medical staff are closely monitoring the inmates at Bell County Forestry Camp doing daily temperature, O2 saturation, and pulse checks. All our facilities have enhanced sanitization efforts and staff are medically screened upon entry. Cloth masks for inmates and staff were provided in early April and have been supplemented to ensure the inmates have a fresh one available at all times. Masks are mandatory for all staff and inmates. We have also provided the inmates with extra soap.”
Lisa Lamb