Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in the area, the Dillwyn Correctional Center (DCC) in Buckingham saw a 38-case jump on Friday, May 22. 

DCC was listed Friday as having 320 total cases of the virus in its offender population as opposed to the 282 cases listed on the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) website the day prior. That’s over a third of the prison’s population of approximately 910.

On Friday, DCC was listed as having seen 11 positive staff, with three inmates actively hospitalized on May 22. 

The Buckingham Correctional Center (BKCC), also located in Buckingham County, was listed Friday as having experienced 111 total positive inmates and six positive staff. Five BKCC offenders were hospitalized Friday.

BKCC and DCC have each had one inmate die as a result of COVID-19. 

Despite the jump in prison cases, Buckingham’s Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reported case count barely moved overnight, from 438 cases reported Thursday to 439 reported Friday. As a 24- to 48-hour lag time in numbers reported between VADOC and VDH is expected, it is anticipated DCC’s increase in cases will be reflected by VDH’s report within the coming days. 

Prince Edward County had risen to 104 positive cases Friday, up from 99 the day before. Prince Edward experienced several jumps in its case count that week, which local health officials attributed to family spread rather than numbers rising due to outbreaks inside county nursing homes or jails. 

Concern about the virus spreading among the public has been on the minds of many as residents worry if staff at local correctional centers and nursing/rehabilitation centers will carry the coronavirus back home to their families and neighbors. 

Cumberland County remained at 25 confirmed cases Friday. Lunenburg remained at seven cases. Charlotte County cases continue to rise. The VDH reported 19 total cases as of Friday. 

In total, VDH reported the state had seen 34,950 total confirmed cases as of Friday and 1,136 deaths.