4 inmates at HMP test positive for COVID-19

COVID-19 has breached the walls of Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's.

The Justice Department said four inmates in the same unit inside the prison had tested positive for the virus as of Tuesday afternoon, updating a total of three provided Tuesday morning.

The unit houses 10 inmates,and islocked down to ensure "proper isolation for the cases and the others on the unit," reads astatement issued Tuesday morning.

The department said corrections staff will continue to work with Eastern Health to manage the situation, andpersonal protective equipment is being provided and worn.

It's not the only Newfoundland and Labrador jail to get hit by the virus.

There was a positive case in the Labrador Correctional Centrein Happy Valley-Goose Bay at some point in January, according to theJustice Department, butthe person has since recovered.

On Dec. 24, the department said there hadn'tbeen a case of COVID-19 inany of the correctional centres in the province to that point.

The department saidappropriate sanitization measures are being taken in each facility in accordance with public health guidelines and best practices.

Corrections staff are required to wear gloves, masksand properly sanitize the workplace, and they must also be fully vaccinated.

"Visitation and programming offered by external facilitators has been temporarily suspended," said the department, "and inmate movement within facilities is being minimized.

"All new admissions to custody are screened using a questionnaire and in accordance with a protocol developed in consultation with infection control specialists."

Inmateswho have any symptom of COVID-19 are tested and put in isolation,pending test results.

Three inmates have had to postpone court appearances due to this outbreak, the department said.

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