LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A farm employee at an Arkansas prison has tested positive for coronavirus, the state Department of Corrections said Wednesday.
Department Spokeswoman Dina Tyler said the employee at the Cummins Unit, located about 90 miles (140 kilometers) southeast of Little Rock, found out he was positive over the weekend and has not been at work for more than a week. Tyler said the employee did not work inside the prison and did not have any up-close, direct contact with inmates.
The state has not reported any positive cases among its inmates or other Division of Correction employees.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Health officials said the number of coronavirus cases in Arkansas rose to at least 566 Wednesday, an increase from 523 the day before.
Tyler said the Division of Community Correction has had two positive cases in Cleburne County, one an administrative assistant and the other a probation/parole officer.
