Dozen inmates positive for coronavirus at Washington prison

CONNELL, Wash. -- A dozen inmates and four employees have tested positive for the coronavirus at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in the eastern Washington town of Connell.

In response, the Department of Corrections is shutting down the food factory at Coyote Ridge, where inmates produce meals for the entire prison system and dozens of external customers.

The Spokesman-Review reports Wednesday that all the prison’s inmates will be quarantined in their units for 10 days. All classes and other programming will be suspended.

The Department of Corrections said employees at Coyote Ridge are conducting contact tracing to identify those who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Agency spokesman Jeremy Barclay said the food factory at Coyote Ridge was expected to remain closed only during the 10-day quarantine. He said the agency keeps extra food in store for such disruptions.