About 2 percent of inmates in NC prisons tested positive for coronavirus

The 619 positive results among the more than 29,000 inmates is a much lower rate than in some other states' prison systems, officials said. Texas, Michigan, Tennessee and New Jersey report infection rates of 9.8 to 16.3 percent after mass testing of inmates in those states.

The rate is North Carolina prisons is also lower than the state population in general, where about 8 percent of tests are positive.

No positive tests were recorded in 24 North Carolina prisons, officials said.

“Our staff have worked tirelessly to prevent the virus from getting into our prisons, to contain it when it does get into a facility and to reduce its spread to other prisons,” North Carolina Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee said in a statement. “These numbers confirm their hard work is paying off and reflect our ongoing commitment to the safety of all North Carolina prisons.”

The statewide effort cost about $3.3 million.

In addition to the 29,000 inmates, another 1,600 people were tested as they were transferred from county jails. All inmates coming from county jails are put in quarantine upon arrival.

Inmates who tested positive were placed in isolation, and those in housing units where others tested positive were placed under quarantine for close observation and twice daily temperature checks. Anyone who subsequently showed symptoms of the virus was moved into isolation and retested.

Another 600 inmates who previously tested positive and had recovered didn't need to be retested under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state Department of Health and Human Services guidance, officials said. Of the 1,459 inmates who have tested positive since the pandemic began, 1,210 have met CDC and DHHS criteria to be released from isolation and are considered recovered, officials said.

The 1,459 positive tests overall are about 5 percent of the state inmate population.

"Our top priority is everyone’s health and safety, and I mean everyone,” Ishee said.

The state doesn't disclose the number of prison employees who have tested positive for the virus.

The state Department of Public Safety offered a free coronavirus testing program for the prison system's 21,000 employees from May to July.