Fairbanks inmate third to test positive

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Corrections announced on Wednesday that an inmate at Fairbanks Correctional Center has tested positive for COVID-19, the third confirmed inmate case statewide. No additional positive cases were attributed to Goose Creek Correctional Center after an inmate tested positive in late April.

“DOC has been implementing preventative measures since the beginning of February before the virus was even in Alaska and just the continued vigilance of the staff and everyone who lives and works in that facility has been taking COVID very seriously and it’s really paid off,” said DOC Public Information Officer Sarah Gallagher.

A policy in effect since the end of May puts newly remanded inmates in quarantine for 14 days prior to being released to the general population at DOC facilities statewide.

“I am grateful that DOC and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) were able to work collaboratively to make testing all new remands possible,” said Nancy Dahlstrom, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. “As we continue to see a rise in cases throughout the state, it is important that we remain vigilant in protecting the health and safety of those who live and work in our institutions.”

The DOC press release said that Alaskan prisons accept roughly 600 new inmates per week. DOC has administered 1,268 tests to date with 964 negative results and 300 pending.

“Identifying the positive case at FCC through our new screening process is an indication that it is working. It is our goal to identify positive cases quickly as early detection is critical to keeping the rest of our inmate population and staff safe,” said Dahlstrom.