Inside the Correctional Institute for Women in the time of COVID-19: Frontliners working 12-hour shifts and more

On a normal day, the number of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) is monitored inside the Correction Institute for Women (CIW).

But after 47 inmates were confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and two have died, authorities are now focusing on containing the disease inside the facility.

In a report by Raffy Tima on "I-Witness" two nurses namely Besa and Corro showed how they are catering to hundreds of patients inside CIW.

Besa and Corro work 12-hour shifts, beginning their rounds in the wee hours of the morning, combing the dark and narrow aisles and visiting all four quarantine sites inside the facility.

“Yung rounds namin kasi umpisa dun sa mga walang nararamdaman atsaka sa mga na-swab na po. Kasi yung mga unang pupuntahan, yun po yung nakasama sa isang dorm, yung nag positive po natin," one of the frontliners said.

According to the "I-Witness" report, most of the PDLs who are waiting for the results are asymptomatic.

Meanwhile, most of the confirmed cases currently residing at the at the quarantine site Harry of the Medium Security Compound in New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa are not showing any symptoms, as well.

Aside from regular check-ups, the medical workers are also doing their best to calm PDLs who are starting to have fears.

CIW Warden Supt. Mangawit said when there's movement or changes in the cell assignments, the PDLs start to have fears and anxiety. 

"Kaya kailangang laging pinapaliwanag. Kasi pag hindi, pag hindi mo sila pinaliwanagan, maglalaro yung isip. Pag naglaro, iba yung lumalabas.” 

But there's more to take care of than just COVID-19. There's one PDL, a tuberculosis patient, who has fever and has puked blood.

"Hindi naman namin maipasok sa TB ward namin kasi may lagnat siya. Hindi natin alam may lagnat siya dahil sa TB o dahil may virus? Kaya in-isolate muna namin, kasi kawawa yung 30 na TB ward patient namin baka mahawa din kaya dito muna sya.” 

Despite having help from the International Committee Red Cross, the medical workers are still having problems due to the lack of equipment and manpower.

While most understand the current situation of the facility, some PDLs are affected with the changes happening inside CIW.

The video report showed how the nurses were drenched in sweat after doing their rounds for hours without removing their personal protective equipment (PPEs).

“Ang hirap, hirap na hirap na kami, parang hinahabol ang hininga," one of the frontliners said. “Ay grabe, parang kinakapos ka ng hininga, na masusuka ka, nade- dehydrate ka dahil sa sobrang andaming pawis.”

The medical workers are extra cautious when taking off their PPEs as that exposes them to risks, like contracting COVID-19.

When they do remove their PPEs, the frontliners go straight to the bathroom to have a full body shower, before going back to continue their duties.

The frontliners are currently sleeping and residing inside CIW's courtroom.

CIW is one of the firsts facilities to prohibit visitations, unfortunately their inmates still contracted COVID-19.