By NANCY WEST, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD – COVID-19 is spreading rapidly among New Hampshire’s inmate population with 31 testing positive at the State Prison for Men in Concord, and Merrimack County House of Corrections in Boscawen reporting 19 positive inmates.

On Dec. 4, the Merrimack County Department of Corrections was notified that five inmates tested positive for COVID-19 as a result of testing conducted by the NH National Guard earlier in the week.  Since that time, they have identified 14 additional positive cases for a total of 19.

The state Department of Corrections on Thursday reported 30 inmates testing positive at the men’s prison and one at transitional work and housing units in Concord and Manchester. The Department declined to say where the one inmate was housed.

The state Department of Corrections reported 18 positive staff members and has called in the National Guard to help.

There was only one positive case in late May at the state prison for men. On Nov. 25, the state Department of Corrections’ website reported six positive tests among inmates.