The Federal Bureau of Prisons says more than 70 precent of federal inmates who have been checked for COVID-19 have tested positive.
As testing is expanded, per the Wall Street Journal’s report on Wednesday, the total number of positive test results is projected to increase. As the report argues, this latest statistic drives home the fact that many inmates could be unaware they have contracted the virus and are thus spreading it due to prison facilities that are often overcrowded and generally rife with living conditions that complicate an adherence to good health practices.
An estimated 2,700 inmates have been tested thus far, with 71 percent reported as having tested positive. The number of inmates tested, however, represents only a small portion of the total number of current federal inmates (as many as 153,000). The Bureau of Prisons, citing its own data as of April 29, says 414 inmates have recovered following diagnoses while 31 inmates have died.
The topic of COVID-19 tests at large, access for which is still limited for many people in the country, remains a pressing one. Thankfully, some areas in the U.S.—like Los Angeles, for example—are leading the charge by making bold steps toward opening up access to all.
As reported this week, L.A. recently became the first major U.S. city to offer free COVID-19 tests to all residents, regardless of whether or not they're showing symptoms. "No one should have to wait, wonder, or risk infecting others. Don't leave it to chance," Mayor Eric Garcetti said of the effort.
