SMYRNA, Del.- Delaware correctional officials say a 73-year-old James T. Vaughn Correctional Center inmate who had two negative COVID-19 tests, and a third one with results pending, died Thursday after complications from multiple underlying health issues.
The Department of Correction said Joseph S. Russo was admitted to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus on Tuesday evening, April 14, after developing a fever and respiratory symptoms. Preliminary information indicates Russo died of complications from respiratory failure, according to the DOC.
DOC officials said Russo had received a proactive COVID-19 test at JTVCC on April 10 as part of the DOC's proactive monitoring of 45 asymptomatic inmates in a minimum security housing unit, including twice daily temperature checks. That COVID-19 test result was negative.
After admission to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, a second COVID-19 test was administered on April 14 and a negative test result was returned from the second test as well, according to the DOC.
The DOC said a third COVID-19 test was subsequently administered by Bayhealth staff on April 15, and that result is currently pending from the state public health laboratory.
Russo, of Newark, Del., was serving a life sentence for a conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse. JTVCC is Delaware's maximum-security prison.
Russo's body has been released to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science.
