Six inmates in Arizona prisons have been tested for the coronavirus.

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry announced Monday that the results of the tests are pending.

This comes after lawyers for inmates pushed a federal judge to require the state to develop a plan to prevent and treat the virus. The state later released a plan that includes providing free soap to inmates and waiving the $4 health care fee.

The department stated Monday that all staff and inmates with flu or allergy-like symptoms are being evaluated daily and ill inmates are being cared for in a separate area.

Efforts to reduce spread

The department said it is reducing the number of work crews that leave the prison complexes to work in public areas around the state. Work crews are being sent out "on a limited and as-needed basis."

The department is doing temperature checks on work crews when they leave and return.

All employees are required to undergo an infectious disease symptoms check before entering the prisons.

The department told the court it will allow staff to have their own hand sanitizer if they are able to keep track of it while working.

Inmates are not allowed to have alcohol-based hand sanitizer due to the department wanting to prevent misuse and fire-setting risks.

Visitations were suspended. CenturyLink began offering inmates two 15-minute phone calls for free in addition to their existing phone and written letter privileges.

Advocates were already worried

Community organizations have been urging public officials to do more to protect vulnerable populations in the prisons.

In a letter on Thursday, ACLU of Arizona pointed out the history of inadequate health care in state prisons and asked Gov. Doug Ducey to order the release of elderly, nonviolent and other inmates who pose little to no risk to the public.

"People in prisons are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of contagious illnesses. They are housed in close quarters and are often in poor health. Making matters worse, Arizona’s prisons already suffer from inadequate medical staffing and treatment," the organization stated. "As such, we urge you to prioritize releasing those who, because of age or medical condition, are at particularly high risk of severe illness or death if they were to become infect with COVID-19."

Ducey has not issued any such order.

Have thoughts about health care access in Arizona prisons? Reach criminal justice reporter Lauren Castle at Lauren.Castle@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lauren_Castle.

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