27 more inmates positive for virus moved to NBP

NEW ARRIVALS More inmates from the Correctional Institution for Women who are positive for the coronavirus are transferred to the “Site Harry” quarantine facility at New Bilibid Prison despite the objection of the Muntinlupa government. —PHOTO FROMBUCOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has said that an additional 27 inmates from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City had tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in its prisons to 49.

In a statement on Saturday night, the BuCor said the 27 were among the 51 CIW prisoners who were tested after the women-only prison reported its first case last week.

All 27 were “well and asymptomatic” and had been transferred to the BuCor’s quarantine facility, “Site Harry,” at the medium-security compound of New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

Site Harry, which can accommodate up to 300 patients, now houses 47 inmates from CIW. The first CIW inmate found positive for the disease was still confined at Santa Ana Hospital in Manila.

On Friday, the BuCor reported its first fatality at NBP due to the virus—a male inmate from the medium-security compound. He was transferred on April 17 to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine where he stayed until he died of COVID-19 complications on April 23.

At least 40 inmates who had contact with him were currently under quarantine although the BuCor said they were all asymptomatic.

In a statement, the BuCor assured the public that “all courses of action needed to contain the spread of the virus [were being] strictly enforced and followed.” INQ