Eighteen persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City. A Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) medical staff has also contracted the disease in the jail facility.
Authorities assured they have been isolated. “Rest assured naman na hindi naman sila exposed doon sa general population ng CIW (Rest assured that they are not exposed to the general population of the CIW),” BuCor Spokesperson Col. Gabriel Chaclag said.
Some of the said individuals have been experiencing mild symptoms while others have been completely asymptomatic. They are now under the care of the CIW medical facility and will be brought to the hospital if their conditions worsen. Chaclag said vitamins and food supplements have been given to them to boost their immunity.
The BuCor has already prompted the COVID-19 testing for 42 PDLs at the CIW and nine medical staffs who have interacted with an inmate who tested positive for the disease last week. There are currently 97 inmates being monitored in the facility.
Meanwhile, BuCor officials have assured the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) is still free from COVID-19. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
