Novel coronavirus has been responsible for the deaths of more than 2,000 Louisianians and as of Monday morning, Louisiana's Department of Corrections is reporting a slight uptick in the number of inmate deaths due to the illness.

Officials say that since the virus hit Louisiana, a total of eight state inmates have succumbed to COVID-19.

According to data released by Louisiana's DOC, coronavirus claimed the lives of six inmates at Louisiana State Penitentiary and two at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women- Hunt. 

The prisoners who died over the weekend are among an increasing number of infected inmates. 

At this time, officials say a total of 14 inmates have successfully recovered from the virus and 337 are still fighting it, with the majority of these cases at Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women- Hunt (161 patients) and Louisiana State Penitentiary (72 patients).