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KXLY
December 18, 2020 3:23 PM Connor Sarles
Updated:
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AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. The Airway Heights Correction Center COVID outbreak has now swelled to 1,261 cases, far and away the largest outbreak of any prison in the state.
This week alone, nearly 400 people have contracted the virus.
According to the Department of Corrections COVID dashboard, 1,261 inmates and 122 staff members have tested positive for the coronavirus. With 1,884 inmates at Airway Heights, this outbreak has infected roughly 67-percent of the inmate population.
Despite the surge in cases in just the last few weeks, the Department of Health says it is not coordinating a COVID-19 response with the DOC.
The Department of Corrections (DOC) says on December 18, an inmate at the Airway Heights Correction Center passed away due to a COVID-19 related illness.Â
This marks the fifth COVID-related death of an incarcerated individual in the custody of the Washington Department of Corrections.
According to a news release, The DOC says it is continuing to following COVID-19 guidelines for  screening, testing and infection control guidelines (pdf)Â
Because of the growing number of COVID-19 positive cases, the facility initiated restricted movement (pdf) to limit the potential exposure of COVID-19 among the facilityâs incarcerated population.
According to the DOC website, 1,261 inmates at Airway Heights have been diagnosed with COVID-19, which is about half the population of the correctional facility.Â