Bureau of Corrections
MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-five inmates, or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), are in isolation as of Friday after displaying mild COVID-19 symptoms, including 15 senior citizens, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said in a statement.
BuCor has suspended visitation privileges in its two penitentiaries–the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong and the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa–after inmates and employees tested positive for coronavirus. The other five penitentiaries under BuCor remain COVID-free.
Dra. Maria Cecilia Villanueva, director of Health and Welfare Services, said 13 PDLs from the first batch that tested positive for COVID-19 have already been discharged after their rapid antigen tests yielded negative results, while the two other PDLs were transferred to a different ward due to other medical conditions.
Meanwhile, two more personnel tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of personnel to seven. They were advised to undergo self-isolation at home after being given medical prescriptions.
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