FDC increases COVID-19 testing at Central Florida prisons

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Department of Corrections announced increased testing at Tomoko and Sumter correction institutions overnight.

On Wednesday, prison officials said they tested 155 inmates who were showing no symptoms. Those results are still pending.

If an inmate decides not to get tested they’ll be put in quarantine or isolation for at least 14 days.

Read: No indication that mass testing in Florida’s prisons will be ordered

Inmates who test positive will also be isolated and given the appropriate medical attention.

Channel 9 previously reported that 84 inmates tested positive at Tomoka Correctional Institute.

FDC officials are now offering testing to staff who aren’t showing symptoms to make sure asymptomatic carriers aren’t interacting with inmates.

Read: 'He didn’t want to die in prison’: Families raise concerns about inmates being exposed to COVID-19

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