19th inmate dies in California prison related to virus

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An inmate from Avenal State Prison in California has died from what appears to be complications from the coronavirus.

California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said late Saturday the inmate died at a hospital and the exact cause of death has yet to be determined. No additional information was provided.

Nineteen inmates in California’s custody have died from illnesses related to the virus, the department said in a statement.

It’s the first death at Avenal State Prison in Kings County, where 131 inmates have the virus, the statement said. The prison is 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause pneumonia and death.