State Department of Corrections have reported their second inmate death related to COVID-19 at Sussex Correctional Center in Georgetown today.
DOVER (DE): Jackie R. Lovett, a 71 year-old inmate with underlying health conditions from Sussex Correctional Institution died on Wednesday, August 5 at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus from complications from hypothyroidism and COVID, according to a news release.
Officials say that Lovett was tested for COVID-19 on July 5 and tested positive as DOC initiated proactive testing of all inmates as part of its aggressive COVID-19 mitigation efforts after a cluster of cases was identified through proactive monitoring and testing.
After his positive COVID-19 test result was returned, Lovett was transferred to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center where he initially received treatment in the facility’s COVID-19 Treatment Center. As symptoms developed he was admitted to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus for treatment on July 14, where his family was engaged in treatment decision-making. In recent days Lovett’s condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead by hospital staff at 3:21 a.m. today, officials say.
Lovett’s body was released to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science to determine cause of death.
Lovett, from Salisbury, MD, has been in DOC custody since 1982 and was serving two life sentences for two counts of 1st Degree Murder and Possession of a Deadly Weapon.
Earlier this week, officials reported that all 350 inmates who tested positive in July were recovered and only 10 inmates who are positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) are displaying symptoms.
This is the second death related to COVID-19 at the same facility within three weeks. Nine other inmates have died at Delaware Correctional Centers since the outbreak began in March.
“The Department of Correction is in the healthcare business,” Commissioner Claire DeMatteis said. “Over the past month our aggressive action to identify, isolate, test, and treat inmates effectively stopped the transmission of COVID-19 in our facilities. As a result, 350 inmates have recovered, and today just 10 inmates who have the illness are displaying any symptoms as they continue to receive excellent care on their road to recovery.”
John W. Rosciolo, a 78 year-old inmate with underlying health conditions died on Friday, July 24,2020, at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus from complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, and COVID.
[su_box title=”Questions about covid-19″]Anyone with a question about COVID-19, whether related to medical or social service needs, should call Delaware 2-1-1. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can text their ZIP code to 898-211. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.[/su_box]
