Saskatoon jail unit in quarantine after 2 staff test positive for COVID-19

One unit at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre is under quarantine after two staff tested positive to COVID-19.

The Ministry of Corrections said in a written response to questions that no inmates have tested positive.It would not say how many staff are self-isolating or how many inmates are in quarantine.

"Given how rapidly population counts and circumstances can change within a correctional centre, the ministry is not able to provide numbers," said the statement.

Six staff at the jail tested positive for the virus in late March and early April.

Last week an inmateat the correctional centre, Cory Cardinal,wrote to the provinceand the federal government on behalf of the inmates to complain that not enough was being done to protect them.

Cardinal said there werealmost 500 inmates in the SCC with six of the units being dorms where prisoners share cells and bathrooms.

The ministry said all new admissions are being quarantined for 14 days on separate units before being moved into the rest of the jail population.

It said offenders on those units can still access programming, exercise and communicate with friends and family.

Inmates who show symptoms are tested and required to isolate until they get their results, said the ministry.

"Corrections' COVID-19 pandemic plan and the associated protocols were developed to protect all inmates in provincial correctional facilities, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as HIV, diabetes, asthma, etc.," said the statement.

It said the facility has specific COVID-19 screening procedures for new inmates, including medical screening by a nurse, and enhanced cleaning measures.

The ministry has also increased its communication with staff about hygiene measures.

It provides masks to staff and hand sanitizer and soap to inmates.