(LaPorte, IN) -The LaPorte County Coroner is adding manpower. COVID-19 has a lot to do with it.

Coroner Bob Cutler says his office is going into the prisons now to test deceased offenders for COVID-19.

And more than one coroner from his office is going each time because anyone who dies no matter where it happens is being double body bagged as a precaution against exposure to the virus.

He said two coroners are also needed now to take away a body because other emergency responders are no longer helping to avoid risk for exposure to the virus. The county council this week approved $8,600 for his office to hire one more individual over the next three months.