According to the Department of Correctional Services, (DCS); there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases among the inmate population in the St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre in recent weeks. The DCS says additional COVID-19 measures have since been implemented to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus.

Currently, there are 74 positive COVID-19 cases among the inmate population, while one inmate has been hospitalized. 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.

Data from the medical services unit indicates that since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, 332 inmates and 290 staff members have recovered from the virus.

Meanwhile, eleven deaths have been recorded consisting of seven inmates and four officers. The DCS has implemented additional COVID-19 measures to reduce and prevent any further spread of the virus.

And as it relates to vaccination against the virus, as at October 22, 8.7 percent of inmates from the adult correctional institutions are fully vaccinated, and 1.9 percent are partially vaccinated. 23.3 percent of the staff members have been fully vaccinated, and 8.3 percent are partially vaccinated.

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