PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Portland has ruled that a group of Oregon prison inmates can proceed with their lawsuit against state officials over their response to the coronavirus pandemic. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the class-action lawsuit says the seven inmates named in the case have underlying medical conditions and are at risk for contracting COVID-19. The case applies to any Department of Corrections inmate who has contracted the disease or is medically vulnerable. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman ruled this week that state leaders named in the lawsuit are not protected from litigation over their response to the pandemic inside Oregon’s correctional institutions. Gov. Kate Brown’s office declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.
Judge: Oregon inmates’ COVID-19 lawsuit can proceed
