Stating that he has been self-quarantining at his home for several days, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association President Michael Powers announced he has tested positive.

Powers revealed in a statement that there are 56 correction officers and sergeants who have tested positive for COVID-19, including an officer who is hospitalized and on a ventilator. He also said that “hundreds” of DOCCS employees are quarantined due to possible exposure to the virus.

NYSCOPBA also has members who work for the Office of Mental Health and the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities. Six employees within those agencies have tested positive for COVID-19 and 35 workers are quarantined.

“We can be assured that the total of positive cases will increase,” Powers said. “The numbers underscore the fact that our state facilities are on the cusp of a wide outbreak. This concern must be taken seriously, and certain measures must be put in place immediately to protect staff.”

Meanwhile the number of inmates who may have the virus is another major issue of concern.  One of the more famous inmates that tested positive is Harvey Weinstein, who was reportedly attacked and raped in prision while awaiting sentencing.  Mr. Weinstein is now serving his 2e3 year sentence in an upstate prison.