Harvey Weinstein Tests Positive for the Coronavirus. The film producer, who is serving 23 years for sex crimes, has been isolated from other prisoners but has shown no symptoms.
Mr. Weinstein tested positive for the virus and was being held in isolation Monday at the Wende Correction Facility, east of Buffalo, according to the two people, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.
One of the people said the producer did not have symptoms and was under close observation. It was not clear why he had been tested.
Mr. Weinstein falls squarely within the category of infected people for whom experts say the disease could be dangerous. He is 68 and has had a series of health problems in recent months.
He was hospitalized twice in the jail ward at Bellevue Hospital Center for high blood pressure, heart palpitations and chest pain — once after his conviction and once after his sentencing. During his first stay there, he had a procedure there to alleviate a blockage near his heart.
Late on Sunday, Michael Powers, president of the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, told Reuters that he learned the formerly powerful producer had tested positive for the virus. Mr. Powers did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Mr. Weinstein’s positive test was first reported by The Niagara Gazette, a newspaper in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Mr. Weinstein’s lead counsel, Donna Rotunno, declined to say on Monday whether Mr. Weinstein had tested positive. “We are going to protect Mr. Weinstein’s privacy,” she said in a statement.