Mandaluyong prison reports 19 more COVID-19 cases

POSITIVE CASES Some of those tested for the virus have mild symptoms while the others are asymptomatic, according to Prison Supt. Virginia Mangawit. —EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — Of the 51 people exposed to the first confirmed new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), 19 have tested positive.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said on Tuesday that 18 inmates and a health staffer of the Mandaluyong City prison were found positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, based on the polymerase chain reaction tests conducted by the Philippine Red Cross.

A report from CIW Supt. Virginia Mangawit said that some of those who were tested had mild symptoms while others were asymptomatic. They have since been moved to the isolation area at the New Bilibid Prison’s medium-security compound, with Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi expressing disappointment that he was not informed about the transfer.

The 51 composed of 42 inmates and nine CIW medical personnel underwent testing after they were reportedly exposed to the first COVID-19 patient at the women’s prison.

Mangawit reported that the patient was a 72-year-old inmate with a history of diabetes mellitus type 2.

She was initially diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia on April 13 at the CIW infirmary before her transfer to Sta. Ana hospital in Manila that same day.

According to BuCor, the CIW conducted another round of contact tracing to those who were possibly exposed.

It did not give a number but said they were already isolated and placed in quarantine areas. It also called for “further testing for all persons who are suspect and probable.”

The BuCor asked for donations and partnerships, noting the CIW “needs more vitamins for inmates, food supplements that promote the immune system, beds and big tents.”

Rights group and families of prisoners have been calling on the government to expedite the release of vulnerable inmates in overcrowded jails.

The CIW, for instance, is currently accommodating over 3,400 prisoners although its capacity is 1,008.

“The most practicable, expedient measure is for the national government to get its act together and do what more and more governments are doing around the world: expedite the process for the release of the most vulnerable, the elderly and the sick, in order to save human life,” prisoner rights group Kapatid said in a statement.

As of Tuesday, there are 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Quezon City Jail and one at the Cebu City Jail.