Former movie producer and convict Harvey Weinstein, who is currently serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for coronavirus, reported Reuters, on Monday, 23 March.
The 68-year-old has been placed in isolation at Wende Correctional Facility in Buffalo, an official told the news portal, after his test results were declared a day earlier on Sunday, 22 March. A number of staff members have been quarantined as well, the official added.
Prior to his transfer, he stayed at Rikers Island prison and a Manhattan hospital, where he was treated for chest pain.
‘Not Informed,’ Says Lawyer
A lawyer for Weinstein told Reuters that his legal team had not been notified of the coronavirus diagnosis.
A local newspaper – The Niagara Gazette – first reported that Weinstein had tested positive for the highly contagious virus, citing anonymous officials.
Two More Prisoners Affected, Officials Identifying Others
Two prisoners at the Wende Facility have confirmed cases of COVID-19, a state prison official told Reuters. He added that with each confirmed case, the Department of Corrections works with the Department of Health to identify potentially exposed people.
As of 22 March, the virus has killed 417 people in the US out of more than 33,000 cases, according to a tracker managed by Johns Hopkins University.
Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison on 11 March for sexually assaulting former production assistant and raping a one-time aspiring actress.
Nearly 90 women, including Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, have leveled sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein, the Oscar-winning producer of "Shakespeare in Love" and numerous other critical and box office hits.
(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)
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