RICHMOND, Va. -- Officials in Virginia say 10 inmates have died at a prison where elderly and vulnerable inmates are being held.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the death occurred at Deerfield Correctional Center, which has an assisted living unit and infirmary and holds many of the state prison system’s elderly and medically impaired offenders.
Many of the inmates at Deerfield, located in Southampton County, sleep in dormitories, making social distancing difficult if not impossible.
Figures posted on a website Tuesday also showed that 36 staff members at Deerfield also currently are positive for COVID-19. Staff from other prisons have been brought in to help run Deerfield.
For more COVID-19 updates from the Virginia Department of Corrections, click here.
Related: Inmates at Deerfield Correctional Facility 'fighting to stay alive' in mass COVID-19 outbreak