Davao City – Seventy-six inmates and personnel of the Davao City Jail Male Dormitory were infected by the corona virus disease (COVID-19) in just two weeks. Among them were 68 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) and 8 personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). According to the latest report by the BJMP XI, 25 more inmates and 3 BJMP personnel were added when their swab test results were released on Nov. 28.
“Since the time the first case of COVID-19 patient was reported, the case investigation team, contact tracing team, health monitoring team, and disinfection and contamination team acted immediately,” Jail Senior Inspector Daniel David, Regional Medical Doctor of the BJMP XI said in Filipino.
David said that the situation inside the Davao City Jail Male Dormitory is still under control while the female (annex) dormitory remains COVID-free.
The conditions of the 160 inmates and the BJMP personnel who had contacts with those who turned positive of COVID-19 are now being monitored closely. Moreover, they are also considering using the third floor of the City Jail as a quarantine facility for the 100 other inmates who may turn positive of COVID-19.
Fifteen senior citizen inmates have already been isolated. Meanwhile, an ongoing investigation on why and how did the COVID-19 got into the Male Dormitory of the Davao City Jail is underway. There are 1,700 inmates in the Male Dormitory.
The good conditions of the inmates and personnel who turned positive of COVID-19 were insured and their families were already informed. BJMP XI officials are now strictly enforcing compliance with the health protocols inside their jail facilities.-Newsline
