The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed the targeted COVID-19 testing for jail personnel and persons deprived of liberty (PDL) has started in some of its jail facilities.
Based on data, the combined total of PDLs and jail personnel in Cebu City Jail, Mandaue City Jail, and Quezon City jail who tested positive for COVID-19 has already reached 233. A total of 195 out of 373 PDLs have tested positive for COVID-19. Out of 381 personnel tested, 38 were positive and five have already recovered.
BJMP Spokesperson Xavier Solda assured there is enough facility to isolate and monitor inmates and jail staff amid their bureau’s targeted mass testing. He said a newly built facility in Cebu City can accommodate 2000 individuals while a COVID isolation center was also built within the ICRC in Quezon City, and 10 cells at the QC Jail can be utilized.
Solda clarified jail visitations are temporarily prohibited even with the implementation of GCQ in some areas.
Meanwhile, two PDLs from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) have died from respiratory disease including a 72-year-old and an inmate admitted at a hospital in Quezon City. The PDL COVID-19 death toll is now at three, including the death of an inmate from the medium security compound of the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP).
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said 47 COVID-19 positive inmates are currently staying at Site Harry inside the NBP. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
