NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The New York Board of Correction is urging city jails to release prisoners who are at high risk of contracting coronavirus, the Daily News reported.

"The city must drastically reduce the number of people in jail right now and limit new admissions to exceptional circumstances," the board said in a statement Tuesday.

The head of the union that represents correction officers called the request irresponsible, the Daily News reported.

New York State has already banned visits to prisoners until April. 11.

"The Department’s greatest concern is the safety and well-being of our employees and individuals within our care, custody, and supervision, particularly during this developing public health emergency," the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said in a release last week.

There are 1,300 cases of coronavirus in New York State and 12 deaths, making New York the state with the most coronavirus cases in the country.

There are 644 cases in New York City.