18 more inmates, 1 jail staff at women's correctional test positive for COVID-19

Eighteen more persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and a jail staff at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Raffy Tima’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the 19 new cases all had contact with patient alpha or the first inmate who contracted the viral disease in the facility.

The 18 inmates were already transferred to the New Bilibid Prison medium security compound in Muntinlupa for isolation, while the jail staff is undergoing home quarantine at the CIW compound.

The Bureau of Corrections clarified that the positive patients are separated from the inmates’ dormitories inside the medium security compound.

CIW Superintendent Virginia Mangawit said those who tested positive have mild symptoms, while some were asymptomatic.

Mangawit also said patient alpha, a 73-year-old female is currently admitted in a hospital in Manila.

“Huling feedback, update ng escort duty ay masa maayos na kundisyon na ang ating alpha,” she said.

Meanwhile, authorities have already intensified health checks at the CIW.

They added they are still conducting an investigation on how their facility was infected by the virus since they already prohibited jail visits in early March.

The Philippine Red Cross also conducted COVID-19 testing among CIW employees earlier, including BuCor director general Gerald Bantag and Department of Justice undersecretary Deo Marco, who visited the inmates, as precautionary measures. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News