Inmate at Faribault prison dies after COVID-19 diagnosis

A 57-year-old inmate at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault has died in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

The DOC said he died Friday evening at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. His identity is being withheld pending family notification.

He is the 10th Minnesota inmate to die from COVID-related illness and the sixth from MCF-Faribault.

"On behalf of the Department of Corrections, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of this man,” DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell said in a statement. “This man’s death is yet another reminder that even as we begin vaccine distribution in our state, we must maintain vigilance to prevent further spread of COVID-related disease. Our agency will continue our efforts to prevent spread in our facilities."

According to the DOC, three other Minnesota inmates are hospitalized in critical condition with COVID-related illness.

Currently there are 196 inmates and 41 staff members at the Faribault prison with active COVID-19 cases. So far 1,102 inmates at the facility have tested positive for the coronavirus — 65% of the prison’s current population.

KSTP’s full coronavirus coverage