The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a substance exposure at the Ross Correction Institution, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The facility is secure with no safety threat to the public.
Today at approximately 9:10 a.m., troopers and EMS responded to Ross Correctional Institution with reports of correctional officers and inmates with possible substance exposure. Preliminary reports indicate a total of 24 individuals including correctional officers, nurses and inmates have been exposed, no fatalities. All officers, nurses and inmates are responsive and have been transported to Adena Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Several doses of Narcan were administered to victims, and an additional 300 Narcan doses are available at the facility. The contaminated cell block has been cleared, and all persons from the contaminated area have been temporarily relocated within the facility. A hazardous material decontamination team is en route for cleanup.
This incident remains under investigation.
Adena Regional Medical Center Spokesperson Maria Smith says that "At this time, ARMC Emergency Department physicians and staff are treating and assessing 11-15 patients".
Smith added that.. "Family members of patients who were transported to ARMC should go to the hospital’s North entrance and identify themselves as RCI family and they will be taken to a waiting area".
(Photo by Karen Cheeseman)
State Route 104 between Moundsville Road and State Route 207 at Chillicothe has reopened to motorists after being closed for two hours.
(Photo by Christina Cheeseman)