Public health experts say trying to control the spread of the new coronavirus inside jails and prisons is a unique challenge.<br />At least 5,000 prisoners and 300 prison staff in state and federal prisons across the US have tested positive for COVID-19.<br />While prisons are designed to keep criminals away from the general public, inmates infected with COVID-19 face serious potential health consequences.<br />According to UPI, people outside prison gates need to be concerned because a virus can easily get out and affect the surrounding communities.<br />Over-crowded prisons and jails are incubators for COVID-19 because social distancing is virtually impossible. Prof. Stephanie Woolhandler, MD<br />Dr. Woolhandler says prison staff enter and exit from the community daily, and prisoners must often be cared for in an outside hospital.
