By Frank Green
Richmond Times Dispatch
RICHMOND COUNTY, Va. — A possible case of tuberculosis has led to the lockdown of a housing unit at the Haynesville Correctional Center in Richmond County.
Larry Traylor, spokesman for the Virginia Department of Corrections, said Wednesday that a prisoner was isolated at the prison’s medical unit June 23 after showing symptoms of the illness and that the Virginia Department of Health was contacted.
“As a precautionary measure we have ceased all transport in and out of the facility and locked down Housing Unit 6 where the offender was housed,” said Traylor. He said face masks have been issued to staff and inmates at the unit.
He said the facility is operating normally except for the medical lockdown of Unit 6, which has about 180 inmates. The health department has asked for a mass testing, he said. “We are hoping to have that done today or tomorrow,” he said Wednesday.
If no cases are detected, the department hopes to have the unit operating normally prior to the holiday weekend for family visitation, Traylor said.
“But we will not do this unless authorized/approved to do so” by the department of health, Traylor said. This is standard practice and a precautionary measure for the health of the entire facility, he said.
Copyright 2011 Richmond Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved