233 prisoners, personnel in 3 city jails test positive for COVID-19 —BJMP chief

A total of 233 prisoners and jail personnel have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at three city jails in the country, the head of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Tuesday.

During the virtual meeting of the House Defeat COVID-19 committee, BJMP chief Director Allan Iral said out of the 373 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) that they have tested for COVID-19, 195 turned out positive.

Of those who tested positive for the disease, 185 are detained at the Cebu City Jail, one at the Mandaue City Jail, and nine at the Quezon City Jail.

None of the infected PDLs have so far recovered, Iral added.

Meanwhile, Iral also told the House that 38 personnel of the BJMP also tested positive for COVID-19, of which five have already recovered.

To prevent the further spread of the disease, Iral said that all COVID-19 patients, both PDLs and personnel, have been isolated and are being closely monitored.

They are also considering conducting mass testing at the male dormitory of the Quezon City Jail as well as at the Cebu City Jail.

A 150-bed COVID-19 isolation center will likewise be set up in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross for the PDLs within the BJMP National Capital Region and in similar isolation facilities in Pampanga and Quezon provinces.

Moreover, Iral said PDLs and BJMP personnel will continuously be provided with face masks and vitamins, and the electronic "dalaw" system will be expanded to allow prisoners to have constant communication with their families.

As of Monday, there are a total of 7,777 cases of COVID-19 reported in the Philippines, with 511 deaths and 932 recoveries. —MDM, GMA News