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Number of flu cases at Young Correctional Institution rises

Delaware Public Media

The number of confirmed flu cases at Delaware's Howard R. Young Correctional Institution is growing.

Prison officials now say 18 total specimens submitted for testing have been confirmed as flu cases.

As of Friday afternoon, four additional cases are being evaluated and tested by Delaware’s Division of Public Health.

Infected inmates are being treated in the prison's infirmary, and their cellmates have been isolated and given anti-viral medication as a precautionary measure.

The flu outbreak has effectively put Young Correctional Institution on lockdown.

All visits to the prison are canceled until further notice, as are programs and volunteer shifts. Inmates' movements in the prison are also limited. And they won't be taken out to court dates; video conferencing will be used instead where possible.

The state also isn't transporting any new prisoners to Howard R. Young for the time being. All committals are now being diverted to Vaughn Correctional Center

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.
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