LEESBURG, Ga. — Three inmates in a Georgia prison have contracted the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus according to the state's Department of Corrections.
The organization said it was notified on Friday by the Georgia Department of Public Health that three offenders housed at Lee State Prison in Leesburg, Georgia had the illness. One of the inmates was hospitalized on March 15 and two were hospitalized the next day. Each had what authorities described as flu-like symptoms and had remained hospitalized since that time.
Three additional inmates at the same prison in Lee County are under observation for exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The prison has already undertaken various measures to screen and quarantine the entire inmate population.
All staff members are being screened before entry and none have exhibited symptoms of influenza or COVID-19.
"The GDC will continue to monitor all staff and offenders at Lee SP, and follow our enhanced protocols, along with guidance provided by the Department of Public Health regarding prevention of further spread of the virus," the agency said in a statement.
The prison, located in Lee County is just outside of Dougherty County where a large number of cases and deaths from coronavirus have already been reported. However, no information, at this point, suggests a connection between the clusters.
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