Alabama inmate dies in hospital months after virus diagnosis

Published 8:41 am Tuesday, October 6, 2020

A 67-year-old Alabama inmate has died in custody at a hospital, four months after contracting the coronavirus in a state facility.

Willie Bernard Collins died at a hospital near Montgomery on Thursday, the Alabama Department of Corrections said Monday.

Collins was housed at the Staton Correctional Facility’s infirmary because due to preexisting health conditions, the agency said. He tested positive for COVID-19 on June 11 and was transferred from the Elmore prison to a local hospital at the end of July when his condition worsened, according to officials.

The inmate was serving a life sentence on a murder charge, the agency said.

Alabama has documented 430 cases of coronavirus among the state prison population to date, Al.com reported, citing state data. The Department of Corrections said 25 cases are currently active.