Loxley Work Center reports three more Coronavirus cases

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LOXLEY, Alabama — Two inmates and one staff member from the Loxley Community-Based Facility/Community Work Center in Loxley have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Oct. 28, according to a release issued Friday by the Alabama Department of Corrections.

ADOC has confirmed that six inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Oct. 28. In addition to the two inmates in Loxley, two inmates have also tested positive at the Bibb Correctional Facility in Brent and at the Bullock Correctional Facility in Union Springs.

Newly identified positive cases include inmates who are symptomatic and inmates who are asymptomatic, according to the release. All existing quarantine protocols held in-place or newly implemented as recommended by the ADOC’s contracted State Medical Director are being maintained at each facility where newly identified positive inmates are currently housed.

A total of 538 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among our inmate population, 91 of which remain active.

The ADOC was informed via self-reporting that 12 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Oct. 28 including one at the Loxley facility, two at the Bibb Correctional Facility, and three each at the Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio, the North Alabama Community-Based Facility/Community Work Center in Decatur and the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka.

These individuals promptly self-quarantined under the direction of their healthcare providers.

The ADOC’s Office of Health Services has initiated investigations to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to these staff members. Upon completing the appropriate due diligence, OHS will advise any staff with direct exposure to contact their healthcare providers and self-quarantine as advised.

A total of 75 COVID-19 cases among ADOC staff and contracted staff remain active; 390 staff members who previously self-reported a positive test have been cleared by medical providers to return to work.

Albert Edward Mendel Jr., a 66-year-old inmate who was serving a 38-year sentence for first-degree sodomy out of Marshall County at Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest died Oct. 29.

Mendel, who was housed in Limestone’s infirmary for hospice care related to an end-stage medical condition, was tested for COVID-19 on Sept. 28 after exhibiting symptoms of the disease. Upon returning a positive test result, Mendel was moved to medical isolation within Limestone’s infirmary. Upon his condition worsening, Mendel was transferred to a local hospital for additional care on Oct. 9. He remained under the care of the hospital until his passing.