An inmate of the Putnamville Correctional Facility died Friday after succumbing to a virus that spread through the facility, which is located in Greencastle, Indiana.
An additional nine offenders are under “close observation” at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, and about the same number are under observation in the jail’s medical unit, according to a press release from the correctional facility.
The inmates were presenting “progressive viral-like symptoms” at the time of the correctional facility’s statement, released Sunday.
Several of the patients were experiencing severe shortness of breath and symptoms of pneumonia, including fatigue, joint aches, sweats, cough and sore throat, according to the release.
One inmate was on a ventilator for support.
The Indiana Department of Corrections is working with the Indiana State Department of Health and Center for Disease Control to identify the source of the outbreak.
The release stated that safety precautions are being taken to protect the other inmates and staff.
The Putnamville Correctional Facility is one of nine medium security facilities run by the Indiana DOC. The average daily population was 2,489 in 2015. The campus is comprised of about 2,500 acres.
The DOC will release more information when it becomes available, according to the release. Visitation at the facility has been cancelled until further notice.
MK Wildeman
