COVID-19 Cases Rise in St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre

The St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre is currently being monitored, as the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) reported an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among the inmate population in recent weeks. 

The DCS notes that currently, there are 74 positive cases among the inmate population, and one inmate has been hospitalized. While two staff members at the institution have tested positive and are now in isolation.

Additionally, there are three positive cases of the virus at Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, two at South Camp Juvenile, and one at Hilltop Juvenile. 

The DCS in the meantime has implemented additional COVID-19 measures to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus. The measures follow guidelines from the World Health Organization, (WHO) the Centres for Disease Control, (CDC), and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. 

Institutions were placed on lockdown, cloth masks have been prohibited and surgical masks were given to inmates and Officers, and rotation of Officers have been discontinued in some instances. In addition, all inmates and staff of the DCS have been offered vaccines on multiple occasions. The DCS added that other measures will continue to be enforced such as temperature checks for all persons entering the institutions, handwashing and sanitization stations. 

The DCS says the Medical Services Unit has been unrelenting in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Unit indicates that since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, 332 inmates/wards and 290 staff members have recovered from the virus. Eleven deaths have been recorded consisting of seven inmates and four officers. 

As at October 22, 2021, 8.7 percent of inmates from the adult correctional institutions are fully vaccinated, and 1.9 percent are partially vaccinated. Meanwhile, 23.3 percent of the staff members have been fully vaccinated, and 8.3 percent are partially vaccinated.