50 PDLs to be moved out of COVID-19 isolation soon – BuCor

MANILA, Philippines – The 50 inmates or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and four of its personnel that tested positive of COVID-19 has completed its mandatory quarantine period and may soon be released from isolation.

BuCor Spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said the 54 individuals do not have symptoms of the disease. They are currently under the care of medical personnel at Site Harry, the isolation inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

“They have already completed the mandatory quarantine period. They have actually exceeded the 14-day quarantine period since, by that time, they were in quarantine for at least 21 days,” Chaclag.

But he said that before the 54 individuals are removed from their isolation, they would still undergo testing to further ensure that they are indeed free of the virus.

Of the 50 PDLs, 49 are from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong city and one from the NBP while three of the BuCor personnel who tested positive for COVID-19 came from the CIW and one from the NBP.

Records from BuCor showed that there are 82 PDLs with suspected cases at the NBP, including 31 at the maximum security compound and 32 at the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) and 11 at the CIW for total suspected cases among PDLs of 93.

The RDC is used by the BuCor for a newly arrived inmate. They will be photographed and fingerprinted. Then, they will undergo physical and psychological evaluations, counseling and briefing of prison rules before they are sent to their respective detention cells inside the national penitentiary.

Currently, there are also 69 PDLs with probable cases of COVID-19 including 59 at the CIW and 10 at the NBP. Three PDLs-two from the CIW and one from the NBP- have earlier succumbed to COVID-19.

Aside from the four personnel earlier confirmed to be COVID-19 positive, the BuCor said two other CIW staff are considered in the suspect category and 13 as probable. No other COVID-19 cases were recorded in the other penal colonies operated by the BuCor aside from the NBP and CIW.