Two inmates, who were receiving treatment at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution's Medical Isolation Unit, recently died due to complications from COVID-19, the state Department of Correction announced Tuesday in a news release.

A 54-year-old man who was receiving care in the medical isolation unit since Jan. 1, "became unresponsive during a medical evaluation" on Jan. 4, the department said in the release. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he died. He had last entered the correctional system in July and was being held in lieu of a $650,000 bond on a first-degree robbery charge, according to the department.

A 67-year-old man, who had "several underlying comorbidities," was receiving care in the unit since Dec. 27 and had been taken to a hospital on Dec. 29, the department said. He died Sunday. He was being held in lieu of a $750,000 bond in connection with a home invasion and had last entered the correctional system on Feb. 25, 2019, the department said.  

"This sad news only strengthens my resolve to continue the Agency's fight to combat the spread of this stubborn virus," Commissioner Angel Quiros said in a statement. "My condolences go out to the families of the two departed individuals."

According to DOC data last updated Friday, a total of 24 inmates have died due to COVID-19.