Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre - file photo
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Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security
It has been revealed that COVID-19 has been detected among inmates at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston.
This is the second penal facility where cases of the respiratory illness have been detected.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News on Monday, Matthew Samuda, Minister without portfolio in the National Security Ministry, confirmed that two inmates at the Tower Street facility tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr. Samuda said the prison has since activated its COVID-19 containment plan including the isolation of inmates and contact tracing and "where there have been incidents of COVID, masks have been distributed to inmates to lessen potential spread."
While he noted that correctional facilities have been "sticking to the standards as dictated by the WHO for persons in custody," Mr. Samuda admitted that it would be tough keeping the virus out because "we can't restrict staff members going and coming and they are as exposed as anyone else in the society."
Horizon inmates recover
In the meantime, Mr. Samuda said the inmates at the Horizon Adult Correctional Centre have recovered.
According to the Department of Correctional Services website, 56 inmates have been tested for COVID-19.
Six have been confirmed positive.
In terms of the department's staff, 66 persons have been tested, with 15 positive cases.
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