MARQUETTE, MI (AP)-- Marquette Branch Prison is bringing in extra staff to help it deal with a coronavirus outbreak that has idled 79 staffers, while 158 inmates have tested positive.
Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz says 28 staff are off right now after testing positive, 37 staff are off work as close contacts and 14 staff are off because they are symptomatic.
Byron Osborn, president of the Michigan Corrections Organization union, says many state prisons are already “significantly” understaffed, and that is exacerbated during the virus outbreak.
