Department of Corrections reports first inmate to test positive for COVID-19 at Goose Creek

WASILLA - The Alaska Department of Corrections has reported that an inmate at Goose Creek Correctional Center has tested positive for COVID-19 outside of Wasilla.

DOC Public Information Officer Sarah Gallagher reports that DOC received confirmation at 9 p.m., on Saturday and immediately begin working with epidemiologists and public health officials to begin working on contact investigation.

“GCCC continues to implement the DOC response plan and take swift action to protect the health and welfare of inmates and staff at the facility. This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will become available in the coming days,” writes Gallagher.

The inmate was placed in self isolation on April 19, and four inmates have been tested at GCCC. DOC reports that test results for two inmates have pending tests results and one inmate has tested negative. Statewide, 63 inmates have been tested across Alaska with eight pending tests and 54 negative results.

On Saturday, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported no new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska. To date, Alaska has 341 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and two new cases were reported on Sunday.