HARVEST – The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) said Tuersday that one employee at Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest has tested positive for COVID-19. They were informed via self-reporting.

Other ADOC facilities throughout the state also have reported staff members with positive coronavirus tests on Tuesday, including Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton, and the Criminal Justice Center in Montgomery.

The staff members were promptly self-quarantined under the direction of their healthcare providers.

The ADOC’s Office of Health Services (OHS) has initiated an investigation to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to these staff members.

Ninety-six (96) COVID-19 cases among ADOC staff and contracted staff remain active. Fifty-three (53) staff members who previously self-reported a positive test have been cleared by medical providers to return to work.

The ADOC has also confirmed that three inmates at Easterling Correctional Facility (Easterling) in Clio, Alabama, has tested positive for COVID-19. After exhibiting signs and symptoms of the disease, the inmates were placed on level-two quarantine, pending the results of a test for COVID-19. Following notification of positive test results, the inmates were moved to medical isolation.

Additionally, one inmate at Tutwiler has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to ongoing health conditions, the inmate was transferred to a local hospital from Tutwiler’s infirmary after exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The inmate was tested for COVID-19 at the local hospital and, after returning a positive test, remains under the care of the local hospital.

Upon completing our consultation with the State Medical Director of the ADOC’s contracted health services provider, the decision was made to place the affected dormitories at Easterling and the Tutwiler infirmary on level-one quarantine.

Fifty-four (54) total cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among the state’s inmate population, thirty-six (36) of which remain active.