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As of Sunday, Dec. 20, Northpoint Training Center had 409 active COVID-19 positive inmates, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections website. By Tuesday, the number of inmates with the virus jumped to 672.

On Dec. 20, there were 15 staff members who were reported to be infected with the virus at Northpoint, and the next day, the number had risen to 23. There was also one staff death reported that was due to COVID-19, according to the website.

As of Dec. 21, the next highest number of active COVID-19 inmates was at Roederer Correctional Complex with 139 inmates testing positive; and 91 at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women.

Tuesday morning, the Kentucky Department of Corrections issued a statement that the DOC is monitoring the situation closely at Northpoint Training Center and working in collaboration with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and the Department for Public Health to ensure that proper protocols are being followed to protect the justice-involved population, as well as correctional personnel.

As of Tuesday, 702 inmates housed at Northpoint have tested positive. Of those, 30 have recovered and 672 of those cases are currently active. The total staff case number is 62, with 38 employees recovered and 23 currently active. One staff member has passed away.

“The facility mourns the death of an outstanding individual that has given nearly 20 years of his life dedicated to serving the commonwealth of Kentucky,” said NTC Warden Brad Adams. “Officer David Ragle was an employee that always arrived early to get his day started and always had a smile on his face when you saw him. He will truly be missed by all of his friends and co-workers at Northpoint Training Center.”

The prison has taken numerous steps to ensure that positive inmates are isolated from the rest of the population. The prison has been separated into four distinct housing areas: 1) positive inmates, 2) negative inmates with direct exposure, 3) negative inmates with no exposure, and 4) medically vulnerable inmates. The separation is done in order to better manage and care for those inmates who have tested positive and to try and prevent the virus from spreading further.

Staff and inmates have been educated on how to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19, and how to prevent the spread of the virus through good personal hygiene, and social distancing. DOC remains committed to working diligently to minimize health risks and following the guidance from the CDC for Correctional and Detention Facilities. Medical staff are closely monitoring the inmates at Northpoint Training Center and those who are medically vulnerable are checked regularly throughout the day. All DOC facilities have enhanced sanitization and staff are medically screened upon entry. Cloth masks for inmates and staff were provided in early April and have been supplemented to ensure staff and inmates have a fresh one available at all times. Masks are mandatory for all staff and inmates.