August 28, 2020
COVID-19 TDCJ Update
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice regrets to inform you of the death of four offenders likely connected to the coronavirus.
70-year-old Jacinto Salinse Cortez died August 5, 2020, at Hospital Galveston. He was transported from the Cotulla Unit in Cotulla on July 13, 2020. Offender Cortez tested positive for COVID-19 on July 13, 2020. There was no autopsy conducted, but medical evidence suggests that COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his death. He had served over 13 years on a 50-year sentence out of Tarrant County.
65-year-old Raymond Lonzo Kirbie died August 17, 2020, at a local hospital in Wichita Falls. He was transported from the Lindsey State Jail in Jacksboro on August 2, 2020. Offender Kirbie tested positive for COVID-19 on August 2, 2020. There was no autopsy conducted, but medical evidence suggests that COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his death. He had served 10 months on a 5-year sentence out of Henderson County.
63-year-old Sherman Albert Davis died July 28, 2020, at Hospital Galveston. He was transported from the Terrell Unit in Rosharon on July 23, 2020. Offender Davis tested positive for COVID-19 on July 20, 2020. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that in addition to a number of pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his death. He had served 25 years on multiple life sentences out of Harris County.
52-year-old Stanley Leon Blackwell died May 3, 2020, at a local hospital in Huntsville. He was transported from the Byrd Unit in Huntsville on April 7, 2020. Offender Blackwell tested positive for COVID-19 on April 18, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to a number of pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was a contributing factor in his death. He had served 6 months on a life sentence out of Tarrant County.
In total there have been 193,785 offenders and 62,420 employees tested for COVID-19. Of those tested, 19,710 offenders and 4,355 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 in both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. There have been 17,744 offenders and 3,252 employees who have recovered. There have been 139 offender deaths connected to COVID 19 with an additional 41 under investigation. There have been 20 employee line of duty deaths from COVID-19.
Helpful Links:
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - News Updates COVID-19
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - Texas Case Counts Map
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - World Map
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