On Air Now

JACK fm

Midnight - Midnight

Department Corrections Currently Has 17 Active Cases Of Tuberculosis

Inmates say they're worried for their health and safety with at least one of the 1,800 men at the facility.

We’ve been reporting on the COVID cases at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center in Aberdeen, but now The Seattle Times reports the Department Corrections facility currently has 17 active cases of tuberculosis.  Inmates say they're worried for their health and safety with at least one of the 1,800 men at the facility, saying he’s been diagnosed with latent TB, and he caught it while in that prison.  Officials say the infected inmates are all in stable condition and are receiving treatment.  Back in December, state regulators fined the DOC $60,000 because Staford Creek failed to follow pandemic protective measures.  Washington state is currently experiencing its largest tuberculosis outbreak in two decades, with 70 cases reported so far this year.

More from LOCAL NEWS with ERIC SHARP