100 Inmates Test Positive For COVID-19 At Mabel Bassett Correctional Center

More than a hundred inmates at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud tested positive for the coronavirus in August, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. 

After four inmates tested positive at the beginning of the month, 184 received tests. Of the 184, 100 came back positive. 

An entire unit of the facility is now under quarantine, according to a DOC spokesperson. 

Jarl Boyd told News 9 his girlfriend is a current inmate, and she tested positive a few days ago. 

“I talked to her yesterday, she was feeling rough,” Boyd said. “It was like she had a cold a couple of days ago, but you could tell in her voice she was getting worse.” 

The DOC spokesperson did not comment on the condition of the infected inmates and was not available for comment Monday afternoon. 

In addition to the tests for inmates, nine MBCC staff members were checked for the virus. Eight of the tests came back negative and one was pending as of Monday. 

According to the DOC website, 14 MBCC staff members had tested positive as of Friday, August 14. 

Boyd said his girlfriend suffers from a preexisting condition, and he fears for the worst. 

“I think she’s at risk of dying from it,” he said.