BuCor inmates get masks, 'try not to be close together' amid COVID-19 threat

Inmates in the custody of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) have received disposable masks and "try not to be close together" amid the rising number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the country, an official said.

BuCor spokesperson Col. Gabriel Chaclag said they have not recorded any COVID-19 case in their facilities, which include the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

"So far we have no PUIs (persons under investigation)," he said in a message. "BuCor remains COVID-19 free and we hope and pray to stay that way."

All BuCor facilities are off limits to visitors, except food deliveries that "go through stringent screening," Chaclag said. He said the bureau has also purchased personal protective equipment and a misting machine for disinfection.

"We have distributed alcohol and protective masks. They also try not to be close together," he said when asked if the BuCor has taken steps towards social distancing.

He said some disposable masks were issued "weeks ago," and that inmates in vulnerable groups were prioritized. Disposable masks are also available in their offices for personnel, he said.

Chaclag said the bureau is in coordination with local authorities and have arranged with partner hospitals in case of a COVID-19 infection.

"We are also conducting information drive for the PDLs (persons deprived of liberty) to be educated in personal hygiene to fight spread of diseases," he said. "All [this] we do in all prison camps and continuously assess our readiness."

The BuCor has seven facilities nationwide: Bilibid, the Correctional Institution for Women, the Iwahig, Davao, San Ramon, Sablayan prison and penal farms, and the Leyte Regional Prison.

National prisoners, or offenders sentenced to three years or more of imprisonment, are kept in the BuCor's facilities.

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Luzon under quarantine in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The Philippines has 193 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Fourteen patients have died, and seven have recovered, according to the Department of Health.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus, which belongs to a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), according to the World Health Organization. —AOL, GMA News