The designated secretary of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DRC), Ana Escobar Pabón, reported that 35 detainees tested positive for COVID-19 after undergoing molecular tests. These positive cases belong to a module of 59 detainees at the Ponce 676 institution.
Escobar Pabón reported that at this time, 34 of those infected are asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms. He added that, according to the information provided by Dr. Raúl Villalobos, the president of the correctional doctor, 452 molecular tests and 161 tests were performed on employees and custody officers yesterday, and the results are expected.
The Secretary-General recalled that, as on previous occasions, the Agency had activated the current protocol and that all those affected were in isolation for the next 14 days and that the institution’s medical staff were participating.
“The epidemiology and sanitation staff of the Department of Health, Correctional Health and Correctional Physician works proactively to control the spread of the virus, while the follow-up process is performed. It is important to inform you that next Monday, January 18, as soon as the vaccines are received, we will start the vaccination process in the Ponce correctional complex. This process includes the Ponce and Villalba Social Treatment Centers. This vaccination program runs until January 22, “the government official said.
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As additional measures within the institution, it was ordered to cancel the transfers to and from the Ponce 676 institution.
Regarding visits to correctional institutions, the government official said that they are canceled in accordance with the current executive order and as a protection measure. “Once the population is vaccinated, we will follow the recommendations of health workers and evaluate the current guide,” he concluded.