Advocates for inmates at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility are calling for Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in as COVID-19 spreads quickly among inmates and employees.

Serena Martin-Liguori, the executive director for New Hour for Women and Children, says the number of cases among inmates is close to 70 - so she's asking Hochul to grant clemency for some of the women to reduce the population.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision website says measures are being taken to battle against COVID-19 in prisons:

"Our process identifies patients who are ill and require special monitoring and care and isolates those who create the greatest risk of transmission to others. Asymptomatic patients who wear a mask and follow social distancing and hand hygiene guidelines have minimal risk to others. A nurse will swab the individual and that swab is then sent to an authorized lab."

Martin-Liguori says while those efforts are appreciated, immediate action from Hochul could make the difference between life and death.

News 12 reached out to the governor's office for comment.