An effort to test all prison staff at San Quentin State Prison for COVID is underway this week after 16 inmates who recently transferred there have tested positive for the virus. Now, after a controversial inmate transfer from another prison, some officials are worried that an outbreak could spread rapidly.
CIM was the location of the first serious outbreak in the state prison system, and 13 people incarcerated there have died from complications related to the virus as of Thursday. Brian Asey, who is serving a life sentence at San Quentin, said he and fellow inmates had already been worried about the coronavirus and the inability to physically distance within the prison.
The transfer of new people added a layer of concern. CDCR said that all inmates recently transferred to San Quentin had been previously tested and had been screened by health professionals shortly before traveling. Levine is calling for CDCR to conduct a review of the transfer and for them to create an incident command center at San Quentin and develop a public containment and prevention plan. In an email, a CDCR spokesperson said that future transfers will require that a test be performed within seven days of the transfer date.
Matt Willis, said he is worried that the situation at San Quentin could get much worse. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. Kate Wolffe. Jun 11, Save Article Save Article.
Failed to save article Please try again. Inmates on the yard at San Quentin State Prison in CDCR said all of the current positive cases are isolated in secure cells. KQED Stay in touch. Sign up for our daily newsletter. Email Address:. Sign Up. Signed up.
