54 inmates and six correctional officers at Mission Institution have tested positive

If confirmed, it would be the first death related to COVID-19 among federally sentenced inmates

The B.C. coroners service will review the circumstances of the death

MISSION (NEWS 1130) — An inmate from a troubled federal prison in Mission has died at Abbotsford Regional Hospital as an apparent result of complications related to COVID-19, according to Correctional Service Canada.

The B.C. coroners service will review the circumstances of the death, which occurred Wednesday.

If confirmed, it would be the first death related to COVID-19 among federally sentenced inmates.

The Mission Institute inmate’s next of kin have been notified of the death.

More than 50 inmates are infected with several in the hospital. Others are still waiting to get test results back. At least six correctional officers working at the prison have also tested positive for #COVID19 since the outbreak began almost two weeks ago. Details on @NEWS1130. https://t.co/rWwsf2SY5Y — Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) April 16, 2020

“The thoughts of management and staff are with them at this time,” says a release from Correctional Service Canada.

So far, 54 inmates at Mission Institution had tested positive for the novel coronavirus — up from 48 the day before — along with eight correctional officers who work there.

Before the announcement of the death, seven of the inmates were in hospital, while several others were waiting for COVID-19 test results.

The Mission Institution has been under lockdown since the outbreak was discovered almost two weeks ago.

The 54 inmate cases of coronavirus at Mission Institution is the highest total of any federal prison in Canada.

In total, 145 inmates at federal facilities have tested positive for COVID-19, including 48 at the Joliette Institution and 25 more at the Federal Training Centre Medium in Quebec.