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A staff member at Fountain Correctional Facility just outside Atmore self reported testing positive for COVID-19, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

The ADOC sends out frequent updates, and the June 3 update included a staff member at Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery, a staff member at Montgomery’s Women’s Facility and a staff member at Elmore Correctional Facility.

Additionally, a 74-year-old inmate, William Hershell Moon, with a known history of chronic and debilitating disease who was serving a life sentence for murder out of Jefferson County at St. Clair Correctional Facility, passed away at a local hospital recently.

“On May 27, inmate Moon was transferred to a local hospital from St. Clair’s infirmary, in which he was housed after a previous hospitalization on May 13,” Public Information Specialist Samantha Rose said. “Upon exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, Moon was subsequently tested positive for the virus. Moon’s exact cause of death is pending the results of a full autopsy. The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) extends its sympathies to the Moon family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Rose said in the June 2 update, four inmates housed in the same small living area as Moon also tested positive for COVID-19.

This small living area within St. Clair’s infirmary remains on level-two quarantine, and the entire infirmary at St. Clair remains on level-one quarantine, she said.

The ADOC’s Office of Health Services (OHS) has initiated an investigation to determine which, if any, ADOC inmates or employees may have had direct, prolonged exposure to these staff members. Upon completing the appropriate follow-up interviews and due diligence, OHS will advise any exposed staff members to contact their healthcare providers and self-quarantine for the recommended 14-day period, or as advised by their healthcare providers.

Fifty-one (51) COVID-19 cases among ADOC staff and contracted staff remain active. Twenty-one (21) staff members who previously self-reported a positive test have been cleared by medical providers to return to wor