Second Yuma prison worker tests positive for COVID-19
Union says patient is in extremely serious condition
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association (AZCPOA) confirm Thursday a second employee from Arizona State Prison in Yuma has coronavirus. And the union says, the worker is not doing well.
AZCPOA's Executive Director, Carlos Garcia, tells our Crystal Jimenez the staff member from the Yuma Prison Complex is on a ventilator. Garcia did not name the worker, nor did he reveal the person's position. However, Garcia says he is in close contact with the patient's family, and is monitoring the worker's condition.
The Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) website shows, as of May 13th, 62 staff members systemwide have reported positive for the virus. 39 are said to have recovered. ADCRR says, so far, 34 inmates have tested positive for the illness. Results are pending for 10 other prisoners.
[Related Story: Local prison sees rise in COVID-19 cases from one day to the next]
Garcia says he believes there are more infected prisoners. He also claims the Department of Corrections is choosing not to test everyone. The ADCRR website shows 133 inmates have been tested so far. It's unclear whether the prison system is testing, or plans to test, more prisoners.
