27 new positive inmate coronavirus cases at Westmoreland County Prison

Twenty-seven Westmoreland County Prison inmates tested positive for the coronavirus Monday as three units housing prisoners remained on lockdown, according to interim Warden George Lawther.

Inmates on the C, J and D units are able to shower, participate in recreation and make phone calls and video visits, but they are otherwise remaining in their cells as the outbreak that started in late November continues, Lawther said.

A lockdown of A unit was lifted last week.

The latest positive results bring the total number of inmates who have contracted the virus to 152, Lawther said. Officials plan to continue with testing and quarantining as needed. The construction of 24 negative-pressure cells at the Hempfield lockup is expected to be completed by Thursday.

Correctional facilities are in the second part of the first phase of the state’s coronavirus vaccination plan. Corrections staff are considered critical workers, along with several other occupations in which employees aren’t able to work remotely.

Lawther said he hasn’t heard anything from state health officials about when the vaccine might be available at the jail. Health care workers started being vaccinated two weeks ago, and some long-term care facilities began receiving doses Monday.

“We don’t know where we’re going to fall in that scenario,” he said.

Two weeks ago, the total number of infected inmates was 114. The majority have had few or no symptoms, and no one has been sent to the hospital for breathing issues, Lawther said. There were 462 inmates at the jail Monday.

“It’s not really impacting our medical department,” he said. “Medical checks on them daily.”

Staffing levels haven’t seen much impact either, he said. Since Oct. 1, 29 jail employees have tested positive and additional results are pending, said Alexis Bevan, county director of human resources.

“Is it trying on some of the staff? Yes,” Lawther said. “We’re thankful for what the staff are doing.”

New inmates are being quarantined before joining the general population, but Lawther said commitments have been down for the past few weeks. Inmates are participating in court hearings by video, and two new video stations are expected to be completed by Thursday.