COVID-19 deaths continue at Florida prisons, though agency no longer reports them

At least two men recently died of COVID-19 while serving prison sentences in Florida, the Orlando Sentinel confirmed through medical examiners, though the state department of corrections has stopped reporting such deaths, or even cases, publicly.

The deaths raise further concern about the ongoing — and unknown — threat of COVID-19 in state correctional facilities, for both the incarcerated and staff. Since early June, when the Florida Department of Corrections halted emergency pandemic protocols, including all reports on COVID-19 cases, testing and deaths, it’s been unclear the extent of the virus inside state prisons without accurate or up-to-date data. Advocates and families continue to hear frequent reports of COVID-19 symptoms and a lack of testing inside many prisons.