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California reports first prison inmate death caused by virus

Posted at 6:51 AM, Apr 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-20 09:51:25-04

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California has reported the first prison inmate death from COVID-19 as the state steps up efforts to prevent outbreaks among vulnerable populations, including people living in nursing homes, on the streets or in homeless shelters.

Corrections officials said Sunday the inmate died at a hospital after contracting the coronavirus at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County. No further details were released.

As of Sunday, the state had recorded more than 31,000 confirmed cases and more than 1,175 deaths, according to John Hopkins University.

Los Angeles County has 600 -- more than half the statewide deaths.