DOJ, DOH start mass COVID-19 testing in prisons

Updated Thu, April 23, 2020 at 5:23 PM Published Tue, April 21, 2020 at 8:00 AM

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to start mass COVID-19 testing in prisons after cases were recorded.

An initial 10,000 test kits have been committed by the DOH for inmates.

The first batch of mass testing will be conducted at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City and the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

As of April 23, 2020, nineteen inmates and one staff member at the CIW and one inmate at the NBP have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has augmented its medical workforce and set up a 300-bed quarantine area at the NBP.

The Muntinlupa government opposed the transfer of COVID-19 patients to the NBP facility, citing a lack of prior information.

BuCor officials stated that efforts were made to inform the local government, and assured that all precautions were taken for the quarantine facility.

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