MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said it is closely monitoring the Quezon City Jail after nine of its inmates tested positive for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19.
The nine persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are currently in the COVID-19 Isolation Center in Quezon City. But BJMP said that of 3 p.m. on Saturday, the patients are in good shape and do not exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, or colds.
Eight nurses are also detailed at the isolation center, it added.
BJMP chief jail director Allan Iral has ordered the close monitoring of infected PDLs at the isolation center and the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory. He also gave further instructions for the provision of food and multivitamins to the prisoners.
“We have doctors and nurses available 24/7 attending to the PDL to make sure that all of them are receiving proper medical attention,” he said.
“I directed the management of Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory to intensify contact tracing so we could isolate PDLs with COVID-19-like symptoms at the COVID Isolation Center where they received a more focused medical care,” he added.
BJMP has likewise set up additional communication lines for the concerned families in order to alleviate their worry for the PDLs who tested positive for the virus.
BJMP spokesperson jail chief inspector Xavier Solda assured that they will take care of the infected PDLs.
“We will continue moving forward in doing our job to protect the PDL under our care and the facility,” said Solda. We assure that the whole organization is closely monitoring the developments at Quezon City Jail and putting all efforts to prevent the spread of infection,” he said.
Concerned families of PDLs at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory may contact the facility through the following numbers, 09771575578 and 09516399525.
The Department of Health has already given technical assistance to the Quezon City Jail and gave out test kits and additional personal protective equipment while the local government unit helped in disinfecting the facility.