SCI Huntingdon, county COVID-19 hot spot, reports 2 inmate virus-related deaths

HUNTINGDON, Pa. (WJAC) — Officials say two inmates at SCI Huntingdon who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

The state Department of Corrections made the announcement Monday night.

SCI Huntingdon has over 150 inmates, as well as 45 employees who have tested positive for the virus.

DOC officials have not released the names or ages of the inmates who died.

According to the state Department of Health, Huntingdon County as a whole reports 214 positive cases of the coronavirus.

The continuous spike in COVID-19 cases at the state facility has been a factor in delaying the county's ability to transition into the "yellow phase" of the state's reopening plan, according to local officials.

State Senator Judy Ward said Thursday that the numbers the DOH is reporting are not a true representation of the county community.

“It’s been unfortunate, but those numbers are not reflective of the community at large,” Ward said.

“Before the (SCI) outbreak, Huntingdon County's numbers were on par with Blair and other surrounding counties,” Ward said. “The prison population will not be out in the general public.”

Ward said the spread within the prison is not unprecedented, but she believes the spike in cases shouldn't factor into the county's reopening.

She said the state should allow Huntingdon County to reopen along with others in the region.

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