Oklahoma inmate showing no symptoms of coronavirus tests positive after being released

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) -- The Oklahoma Department of Corrections began testing inmates for the coronavirus prior to releasing them last week.

The department used tests that were provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

One of the inmates from William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply, Oklahoma was released on April 22 after being tested on April 20.

The inmate showed no symptoms of the virus when he was released.

A few hours after the inmate's release, ODOC received a positive test from the inmate.

ODOC and the health department began notifying people who may have been exposed to the person within the facility and in the community, according to the state health department and CDC guidelines.

ODOC then began quarantine procedures for 52 inmates who may have been exposed and tested them for the virus, 49 of those have returned negative so far.

The remaining three tests should come back in the next couple of days.

Staff at the facility are now testing inmates at least one week before their release.