MANILA – A total of 194 individuals have so far tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Wednesday.
Data released by the DOJ showed as of May 25, the number consists of 161 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) and 33 BuCor personnel.
NBP Hospital chief Henry Fabro said there have been six deaths and 11 recoveries.
Of the 161 PDLs confirmed to be positive for Covid-19, 82 are from the NBP while 79 are from the CIW.
Out of confirmed cases at the NBP, 43 are from the medium-security compound, 31 are from the Reception and Diagnostic Center while eight are from the maximum security compound.
Meanwhile, confirmed cases of BuCor personnel consists of 10 from the medium-security compound, nine from the maximum security compound, six from the Reception and Diagnostic Center, five from the CIW, two from the BuCor national headquarters and one from the BuCor's Covid-19 isolation center.
Of the six deaths recorded in the report, three were PDLs from the CIW, two were from the NBP medium-security compound and one was from the maximum security compound's west quadrant.
The recoveries consist of eight inmates and three personnel.
In a press statement, Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said no confirmed Covid-19 case has been reported at the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City while 19 PDLs from the facility are considered suspect cases.
"No cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the four other penal farms and colonies under the BuCor," he added.
As part of the government’s continuing efforts to address the Covid-19 situation inside prison facilities, Perete said 1,500 rapid test kits for use by PDLs are set to be delivered to the BuCor this week while "more are expected in the coming weeks".
The DOJ will provide laptops to the BuCor for the use of PDLs under the E-Dalaw program.
This program will use electronic or virtual venues for PDLs and their families to communicate during the pandemic. The laptops were provided under the GoJust Program of the European Union.
The BuCor is also working closely with health officials and the Philippine Red Cross to address the Covid-19 outbreak's impact on the inmate population. (PNA)
