‘Possible COVID-19 infection’ could have led to detainee’s death — BJMP
MANILA, Philippines — The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could have caused the death last month of a male person deprived of liberty (PDL) or inmate of the Quezon City Jail, prompting the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to create an isolation center for inmates.
The detainee had died of a heart ailment, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension, the BJMP said Thursday, but it added that the death certificate indicated that “possible COVID-19 infection” could have contributed to his death
“Taking the attending physician’s point of view, citing possible COVID-19 as contributing condition is a piece of information that we cannot take lightly,” said BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said in a statement.
“Our position is always at the side of caution; that is why we triple our efforts in establishing an isolation center outside the jail facility,” he added.
Solda said 17 other detainees need to be isolated after they were identified and to have been in contact with the deceased PDL.
Physical distancing, wearing of face masks among BJMP personnel and detainees, use of foot baths, thermal scanning and disinfection of facilities have also been ordered inside BJMP facilities.
Chief Jail Director Allan Iral also instructed the continuous monitoring of the mental health status of detainees and personnel and to maximize the use of electronic “dalaw” or “e-Dalaw” for PDLs.
The BJMP was able to complete its COVID-19 isolation center which will cater to detainees with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 for symptomatic management. It clarified that it will not accept severe cases.
The BJMP also assured that all medical personnel who will be manning the isolation center have completed training on handling infectious diseases.
/MUF
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