Two cases of COVID-19 among offenders at Jefferson City Correctional Center have prompted visiting at the prison to be suspended until further notice.
The Missouri Department of Corrections announced Monday the suspension of visiting at JCCC.
The department's online COVID-19 data did not yet include the two cases among offenders but did include three active cases among staff at JCCC that were also listed as of last week.
Visiting at JCCC had resumed Aug. 6.
Visiting continues at only five DOC facilities - Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City among them. In Mid-Missouri, Moberly Correctional Center is also still allowing visitation, though the department noted that's subject to change.
The other three facilities allowing visitation are Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center in St. Joseph, Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston and Kansas City Reentry Center. Visiting is only permitted Friday through Sunday at Kansas City Reentry Center.
Visits must be scheduled in advance, and visitors must follow guidelines. More information is available at doc.mo.gov/programs/family-friends/visiting.
The DOC also noted in its news release Monday that random sample testing has begin, with 10 percent of the population at each facility being tested to help identify possible asymptomatic outbreaks of COVID-19.
"The department also continues to test offenders on intake, before release, before transfer, when symptoms are present and when an offender has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus," according to the news release.
Loved ones can continue to stay in touch with incarcerated individuals while visiting is suspended through free Securus phone calls and JPay email messages, according to the DOC.
People with a loved one in a DOC facility were also invited to sign up to receive email or text alerts at public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MODOC/subscriber/new.
Meanwhile, the department's data show 23 active cases among offenders and one active staff member case at Tipton Correctional Center. Four other offenders there had recovered.
Data showed no active cases among staff or offenders at Algoa Correctional Center.
One active staff member case and active offender case were listed at Cremer Therapeutic Community Center in Fulton.
Five active staff cases and 10 active offender cases were listed at Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center.