STERLING, Colo. — An 86-year-old inmate from the Sterling Correctional Facility died at a city hospital days after experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
The inmate, who was not immediately identified, was taken to the hospital on April 27 and was tested for COVID-19 while at the hospital. The official cause of death will come from the coroner’s office.
The inmate was jailed on the east side of the Sterling Correctional Facility. A spokesperson from the Colorado Department of Corrections said the cell he was jailed in has been quarantined and inmates will continue to be monitored.
The correctional facility — which this week reported it had 244 inmates and 11 staff members infected with COVID-19, making it one largest facilities in the state to have an outbreak of the new virus — has been on lockdown since April 14.
The facility is currently operating under Phase 3 modified operations, meaning inmates must remain in their cells in quarantine, other than using restrooms and showers. Meals and medications are being delivered to inmates in their cells.
Other prison facilities in Colorado showing a large number of positive cases appear to be centered in Weld County, where three jails have a combined total of 90 confirmed and probable cases.
