Two Massachusetts prisoners, held in two separate facilities, died from COVID-19 this week, according to the state Department of Correction.
One man, in his 40s, had been held at MCI-Shirley, and was hospitalized for more than two weeks before he died Sunday. The other prisoner was in his 70s and had been in custody at MCI-Concord. He died at a local hospital Monday.
The deaths come as the virus is spiking throughout the state and correctional facilities. MCI-Concord has the highest number of active cases among prisoners with 159 men listed as testing positive. There are also 79 active case at MCI-Norfolk, nine at MCI-Shirley Medium, two at the North Central Correctional Institution in Gardner and one case each at MCI-Shirley Minimum, MCI-Cedar Junction, the Massachusetts Treatment Center and the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit.