Harvey Weinstein 'doing fine' after testing positive for coronavirus, remains in isolation at prison
Three days ago, disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein had tested positive for coronavirus. He hasn't shown any signs of severe illness and continues to remain in medical isolation inside the prison.
"He is fine," a source with information about his condition said. "He is over the hump and just mending." The producer has been housed at the maximum-security Wende Correctional Facility, in Alden in Erie County outside Buffalo, since March 18, 2020. He was one of the two inmates at the facility who tested positive.
Before being moved to Wende Correctional Facility, Weinstein was in Rikers Island jail in New York City. Rikers in facing the country's worst outbreak with at least 38 people testing positive as of last week.
With at least one other inmate having tested positive for COVID-19 at Wende, it is likely that Weinstein will continue to live in isolation inside the prison for at least another 10 days to ensure his health and safety, according to a law enforcement officer.
But since Weinstein had been sick for a while and has several underlying medical conditions, he might be isolated for longer than 10 days.
In order to curb the spread of the deadly virus, states like New York and California among others are working towards releasing non-violent, soon-to-be furloughed inmates early on home arrest, parole or other leniencies.
However, Weinstein might not be one of these having received his sentencing only recently. At the same time, high-profile sex offender Bill Cosby is moving towards petitioning the state of Pennsylvania for an early release and home arrest. "Nothing has been filed, but we're exploring all legal actions,' a representative for the 82-year-old comedian said. "For the record, Mr Cosby has not been tested for the virus, but is feeling fine other than being blind and his blood pressure spiking at times."
"Mr Cosby's lawyers are now considering filing a motion, asking the court to release Mr Cosby from prison and place him under house arrest for the duration of his sentence," he added.
On March 11, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty of rape and criminal sex crimes by an NYC jury.