VIRUS OUTBREAK. The sub-provincial jail in Laoang, Northern Samar. The Department of Health on Wednesday (Oct. 14, 2020) reported that 58 more inmates and jail guards of the facility tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo courtesy of Laoang local government)
TACLOBAN CITY – A total of 58 people at the sub-provincial jail in Laoang, Northern Samar turned positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), authorities reported on Wednesday.
Department of Health Regional Director Minerva Molon said it is not clear yet how they got infected.
Of the 58 new cases, 46 are inmates and 12 are jail guards.
"The investigation is ongoing as we have not yet established the source of infection. We already augmented testing supply in the province and we will also be sending some personnel for disease surveillance and assessment," Molon said.
Presently, symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are isolated separately in designated places within the jail compound.
"We will conduct contact tracing and identify who among the inmates had exposure to patients. We will locate those areas or buildings inside the facility where the confirmed patients contracted the virus," Molon said.
The sub-provincial jail currently holds 182 inmates and over 80 jail guards.
Laoang Mayor Harris Ongchuan immediately placed the sub-provincial jail located in Doña Luisa village under lockdown.
The Municipal Trial Court in Laoang had suspended its operation for 14 days for disinfection and contact tracing, according to the mayor.
"A skeletal work force arrangement is also in effect at local government offices of Laoang for four days that started Oct. 13," Ongchuan said.
The Laoang sub-provincial jail is the first prison facility in the region with confirmed Covid-19 cases.
A surveillance team from health department will be going to Laoang on Thursday to check and talk with the local government and jail management on what assistance they need to prevent the further spread of transmission. (PNA)
