COVID-positive inmate at Faribault prison dies

A 64-year-old inmate at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault died Friday after recently being diagnosed with COVID-19.

According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), the man was recently hospitalized with the virus and died at the hospital on Friday. His name hasn’t been released, pending notification of next of kin.

It’s the sixth COVID-related death in the state’s prison system and the third from the Faribault prison.

"On behalf of the Department of Corrections, I want to extend my condolences to the family and friends of this man," DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell said. "This man’s death along with more than 3,800 others in our state serves as a sad reminder of the impact of this pandemic. We are continuing our aggressive testing and spread mitigation efforts as we closely monitor the health status and medical needs of those who contract this virus."

The DOC said three other inmates are currently hospitalized in critical condition and are receiving ventilator treatment. Several staff members are also currently hospitalized.

The department said Minnesota has the fifth most COVID tests performed in its incarcerated population in the country, despite having the fourth lowest incarceration rate.