A man in his 60s has become the first Connecticut inmate in a state prison to die of the coronavirus.
Connecticut Department of Correction officials said the man showed symptoms last week and was tested for COVID-19.
He was taken to the UConn Health Center for intensive treatment — and passed away on Monday. Officials said he had pre-existing health conditions.
The man was serving a two-year sentence for criminal possession of a firearm.
He’d been approved for release, but the state said he had to stay in prison since he couldn’t find a place to stay on the outside.
Advocates have criticized Connecticut prison officials for not doing more to protect inmates. The state has said it’s taking steps to reduce the density of people in its prisons.
Read the latest on WSHU’s coronavirus coverage here.
Do you have questions you’d like WSHU to answer in local coverage of the coronavirus? Let us know via this survey.
