The Arkansas Department of Corrections is working with the Arkansas Department of Health following the COVID-19 diagnosis of one inmate at the Cummins Unit in Grady.
This diagnosis is the first among the Department’s inmate and resident populations.
As of Friday, April 10, 13 employees throughout the various Divisions of the Department had tested positive for the virus and were under quarantine.
The inmate was scheduled for COVID-19 testing at Cummins Saturday morning, but was transferred to an area hospital and diagnosed there.
The inmate remains hospitalized.
As a precautionary measure, access to the barracks where the inmate was housed has been restricted, and those inmates have been tested as well as exposed staff.
The ADC implemented COVID-19 symptom screenings in mid-March at all prisons, community correction centers, and administrative locations. Those screenings will continue, in conjunction with previously implemented enhanced sanitation practices.
The ADC is distributing masks manufactured by Arkansas Correctional Industries to all inmates/residents and facility staff. Inmates and staff at the Cummins Unit were issued masks prior to this diagnosis.
