January 28, 2021
COVID-19 TDCJ Update
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice regrets to inform you of the death of six inmates likely connected to the coronavirus.
60-year-old Sam Terrel died August 18, 2020, at the Carole Young Unit in Dickinson. Offender Terrel tested positive for COVID-19 on July 22, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served 29 years on multiple life sentences out of Bexar County.
72-year-old Victor Cantu died August 21, 2020, at Hospital Galveston. He was transported from the Cotulla Unit in Cotulla on July 6, 2020. Offender Cantu tested positive for COVID-19 on July 6, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served nearly 45 years on a 60-year sentence out of Terry County.
57-year-old Gilbert Cardenas died July 15, 2020, at a local hospital in San Antonio. He was transported from the Cotulla Unit in Cotulla on July 7, 2020. Offender Cardenas tested positive for COVID-19 on July 7, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served 10 years on a 20-year sentence out of Bexar County.
62-year-old Juan Bautista Madrid died July 12, 2020, at a local hospital in San Antonio. He was transported from the Connally Unit in Kenedy on June 28, 2020. Offender Madrid tested positive for COVID-19 on June 28, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served 19 years on a 25-year sentence out of Midland County.
56-year-old Juan Manuele Alonzo died July 26, 2020, at a local hospital in San Antonio. He was transported from the Dominguez Unit in San Antonio on July 11, 2020. Offender Alonzo tested positive for COVID-19 on July 11, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served 2 years on a 10-year sentence out of Bexar County.
39-year-old Mario Tavitas died August 4, 2020, at a local hospital in Beeville. He was transported from the McConnell Unit in Beeville on August 3, 2020. Offender Tavitas tested positive for COVID-19 on August 3, 2020. Final autopsy results indicate that in addition to pre-existing medical conditions, COVID-19 was the immediate cause of his death. He had served 3 years on a 20-year sentence out of Bexar County.
In total there have been 365,701 inmate and 145,089 employee tests conducted for COVID-19. Of those tested, 32,766 inmates and 10,437 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 in both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. There have been 28,806 inmates and 9,173 employees who have recovered. There have been 187 inmate deaths connected to COVID 19 with an additional 53 under investigation. There have been 37 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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