By Prince Moore
The Jamaica Constabulary Force says it is working with public health authorities to manage an outbreak of tuberculosis among inmates at the Hunts Bay lock-up in the St Andrew South police division.
Seven inmates at the lockup are receiving treatment for TB, while another five are undergoing treatment at hospital under 24-hour police guard.
The JCF has sought to assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to contain the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.
It says it has been managing a confirmed outbreak of tuberculosis among inmates at Hunts Bay since August this year.
According to the JCF, infected inmates were immediately placed in isolation, and medical professionals were engaged to lead the response.
All JCF personnel who came into contact with the affected individuals were also isolated and provided with the required personal protective equipment.
The St Andrew South divisional management team has been collaborating closely with the Public Health Officer and staff from the South-East Regional Health Authority, National Chest Hospital, and the relevant authorities at the St Andrew Parish Court to manage and mitigate the spread of TB.
As part of its precautionary measures, infected inmates are kept entirely separate from the general detainee population to prevent further spread of the illness.
The police say there has been no transfer into or out of the Hunts Bay facility since the initial detection of TB cases.
The police have also been engaging with the St Andrew Parish Court to facilitate court appearances for affected inmates via secure online platforms, such as Zoom, to further limit the risk of exposure.
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