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Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction announces third staff fatality due to COVID-19

61-year-old Bernard Atta worked as a nurse at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A nurse at the Correctional Reception Center (CRC) in Orient, Ohio has died from complications from the coronavirus, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

A spokesperson for ODRC said the warden at the CRC was notified of 61-year-old Bernard Atta's death Sunday evening.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nurse Bernard Atta from the Correctional Reception Center," the ODRC wrote on its Facebook page. "Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and colleagues at the Correctional Reception Center. Nurse Atta will be missed by so many and we are forever grateful for his service to the state of Ohio. As we mourn this loss, we recognize the sacrifices that are being made by our front line staff in the midst of this pandemic. Thank you to ALL of our staff for all they are doing; heroes truly do work within our facilities. Please stay safe."

Atta, from Galena, was hired at the center in December 2012.

He is the third staff member at an ODRC facility to pass away from COVID-19. A corrections officer at the Marion Correctional Institution and a nurse at the Pickaway Correctional Institution have also died.

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