Relatives of prisoners at the federal prison complex near Petersburg plan to make some noise to let the inmates know they are not forgotten at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.

“We plan to honk our horns and be as loud as we can,” said Ashley Young, whose brother is among the incarcerated.

The main focus will be on the federal prison camp and its low-security areas, she said.

Ms. Young said she plans to travel from Washington to participate in the event that Lucie Martinez-Lopez of North Carolina has developed through a social media group for families of those incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution, Petersburg.

Ms. Young said the activity is needed because federal prison officials have barred visits and shut down an email communication system for relatives and inmates.

“I haven’t heard from my brother in several months. My mother is very worried about him as a result of COVID-19. We don’t know if he is well,” she said.

Prison officials have reported that nearly 100 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus. Ms. Young said Petersburg ranks near the top among federal prisons reporting virus outbreaks, based on the information the federal Bureau of Corrections posts on its website.

“From what we have learned, prisoners are receiving inadequate food and care,” she said. “The kitchen has been shut down and is being used as quarantine space. Prisoners are getting a sandwich and chips for their meals. We’re all very scared that a lot of people inside are needlessly going to die.”

The prison system did not immediately respond to a request for comment.