July 23rd, 2020 – 10:15 AM
Georgia Department of Corrections & WZQZ Radio –
While the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the Georgia Prison System, Hays State Prison in Chattooga County is not reporting any inmate cases of COVID-19.
According to the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), more than 750 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 statewide, including more than 270 staff members. 469 inmates and 181 staff members have recovered.
The GDC says all new prisoners are tested for COVID-19, and if the offender is symptomatic, they will be placed in a designated medical isolation unit. Asymptomatic offenders are quarantined for 14 days.
All instances of staff testing positive are self-reported by the staff members themselves. Due to federal healthcare privacy laws, the Georgia Department of Corrections is unable to attain such information, and the actual number of staff members that have tested positive may not be completely accurate.
According to the latest numbers from the GDC, Hays State Prison in Chattooga County has had two employees test positive for COVID-19 and one has recovered. There have been no positive cases reported among the inmates at the prison.