Disgraced Hollywood film producer, Harvey Weinstein, has tested positive for COVID-19 while in a NY state prison. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence after being found guilty for rape and sexual assault.
Weinstein, who turned 68 last Thursday, was transferred to Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo, NY earlier this week. Officials say that Weinstein is among two people who tested positive for the virus at the state prison. He is currently being held in isolation.
Officials believe that Weinstein was positive for the virus when he entered the state prison on March 18, after being held in Rikers Island. During his trial, Weinstein was held at Rikers Island and was treated for high blood pressure and chest pains.
Michael Powers, the president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), said that he could not comment on Weinstein’s medical record due to privacy rules. However, he urged state correctional facilities to suspend all “non-essential” transfers of inmates as well as local jail inmates to state facilities.
A spokesperson for Weinstein stated that “our team… has not heard anything like that yet.” They also could not confirm whether he was in isolation.
