Activists call for answers after Metropolitan Detention Center reports 1st COVID death

Activists are calling or answers Monday night after the Metropolitan Detention Center reported its first coronavirus-related death inside the building.

News 12 Staff

Feb 9, 2021, 4:08 AM

Updated 1,393 days ago

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Activists are calling or answers Monday night after the Metropolitan Detention Center reported its first coronavirus-related death inside the building. 
Family and supporters of 46-year-old Edwin Segarra say they’re frustrated over unanswered questions they have over his Feb. 5 death. 
Activists from Black Lives Matter joined his family Monday and say nobody should have to die from the virus alone. 
The Federal Bureau of Prisons released a written statement explaining that Segarra tested positive for the coronavirus on Jan. 25 and was immediately placed in isolation. 
They say 11 days later, he was found in distress and having what they call seizure-like movements. 
That’s when the Bureau of Prisons says he was given emergency medical services and rushed to a local hospital. 
A spokesperson from BOP released a statement saying in part, “ Mr. Segarra, who had long-term, pre-existing medical conditions which the CDC lists as risk factors for developing more severe COVID-19 disease, was pronounced deceased."
Activists are demanding a full investigation. They say Segarra received a COVID-19 vaccine after he tested positive for the virus. 
They are demanding that his body be released so they can investigate further. 
His son, Lee Segarra, is asking for more information. “That would be the most, thank you guys,” said Segarra. 
News 12 has reached out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons to confirm whether Segarra was given a COVID-19 vaccine after he had tested positive and has not heard back yet. 
The BOP has said that once more information becomes available, they will post an updated statement on their website.