Active COVID-19 cases in jails down to 88 — BJMP

MANILA, Philippines — The majority of the almost 2,000 prisoners who contracted the coronavirus disease have already recovered, leaving the number of active cases down to 88, according to the Bureau of Management and Penology (BJMP).

“Nagkaroon po tayo ng total of 1,987 cases sa mga PDL (persons deprived of liberty) po natin, 88 cases nalang po iyong active cases,” BJMP Spokesperson Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said during Thursday’s Laging Handa Public Briefing.

However, 25 PDLs, most of whom have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, succumbed to the respiratory disease, Solda added.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,017 BJMP personnel have contracted SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, but the active cases among them are now down to 32, the official said.

Four BJMP personnel died of the disease, also due to complications from pre-existing health conditions.

“According po sa data natin, bumubuti po iyong kalagayan ng mga pasyente natin. We’re hoping na sa PDL at personnel ma-zero (cases) natin,” Solda said.

The government has made moves to decongest prisons in light of the coronavirus pandemic, easing rules on the grant of parole and executive clemency as well as suspending contact visitation.

Currently, there are here are 452,988 confirmed cases of COVID-19 nationwide, including 419,282 recoveries and 8,833 deaths.

JE