Florida prison boss, deputy test positive for COVID after visiting virus-ridden site
After months of attempting to mitigate COVID-19’s spread through the Florida prison system, Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch is facing the highly infectious disease himself.
In a press release sent late Friday night, the department said Inch and Deputy Secretary Ricky Dixon have tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting Columbia Correctional Institution and attending a Florida Sheriff’s Association conference July 27.
On July 30, Inch came down with COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive the same day. Inch, who is still experiencing mild symptoms did not require hospitalization and is self-isolating at home.
Secretary Inch was honored to speak at the @FLSheriffs Association Summer Meeting to personally thank our statewide law enforcement partners for their collaborative efforts in maintaining public safety while working to mitigate the spread of #COVID19 in jails and prisons. pic.twitter.com/YpP2dHvmD3
— Florida Department of Corrections (@FL_Corrections) July 27, 2020
Dixon is also self-isolating but has not experienced symptoms.
“We both look forward to returning to work as quickly as allowed by CDC guidelines,” Inch said in a statement Friday night. “I want to encourage all Floridians to continue protecting our vulnerable residents, practice proper hygiene, wear masks when in close contact with others and practice social distancing to slow the spread of this virus.”
According to the department, those who interacted with Inch or Dixon have been notified and encouraged to get tested themselves. Social media posts show that Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls all spoke at the conference Inch attended.
There are 1,300 inmates and 72 staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 at Columbia Correctional in Lake City. Four inmates there have died of the disease.
In total, 8,126 inmates and 1,675 staff have been infected. Fifty inmates have died.
