The Oregon Department of Corrections reports a person in custody at the Snake River Correctional Institution died from COVID-19 on Sunday.
The man was between 60 and 70 years old and is the sixth prisoner in the state to die since the pandemic began. The state medical examiner will determine cause of death in the case, as is standard practice for in custody deaths.
Cases at the Snake River prison spiked sharply in July, with at least 120 people in custody and 21 staff contracting the novel coronavirus. Experts have warned that correctional facilities are particularly dangerous during virus outbreaks because it is difficult to maintain social distance.
Prison officials did not release more information about how the deceased man contracted the virus, citing health privacy laws.
In late August, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said she would consider releasing some inmates early if they are vulnerable to the virus and are nearing the end of their sentences.
