COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The death toll of prisoners originally housed at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater who tested positive for COVID-19 continues to rise.
The Michigan Department of Corrections reported on Thursday that 18 Lakeland prisoners have died from the virus.
It’s the fourth straight day a death of a Lakeland prisoner has been reported by the M.D.O.C. and brings the number of deaths of Michigan prisoners up to 49.
Of the 1,438 tests conducted among prisoners at Lakeland, 791 were positive while 634 were negative.
At last check, 34 staff members at Lakeland have also tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency reported 12 new local cases on Thursday including eight in Hillsdale County which brought the total number of cases since the outbreak started to 146.
Three new cases were reported in Saint Joseph County to bring that county’s total to 47.
Branch County has had 73 cases with one additional case reported on Thursday.
