Nashville, Tenn.–Governor Bill Lee said today the state will begin mass testing for all state prison staff and inmates after today’s revelation that Trousdale Turner Correctional Facility is reporting 1,246 COVID-19 positive cases among prisoners and staff.
Governor Lee said at his Friday daily briefing that of that number 22 are staff.
TDOC said 2,450 total tests were given at the correctional center in Trousdale County. These positive tests come after a targeted testing event at the facility that started on April 28.
“Knowing the extent of the virus’s spread within our correctional facilities is critical as incarcerated individuals remain one of the most vulnerable populations during this pandemic,” Lee said in a statement. “Thanks to our increased capacity, we’ll test all inmates and staff statewide in order to take appropriate actions to safeguard the health of these vulnerable individuals.”
Unified Command Group Director Stuart McWhorter said they have been “in close coordination with TDOC” after the targeted testing of inmates and staff in early April.
“Given the increases in positive cases at the Bledsoe County and Trousdale Turner correctional facilities, despite the vast majority being asymptomatic, we are going to take the next steps in partnership with TDOC, Tennessee Department of Health, and Tennessee National Guard to support a broader testing strategy to promote the health and safety of staff and inmates. We will also coordinate plans with our local jails to assist them in safeguarding the health of their populations in the coming days,” McWhorter said in a statement.
The COVID-19 case count for Tennessee is now 11,891 as of May 1, 2020, including 204 deaths, 1,113 hospitalizations and 5,546 recovered.