The number of people infected in the COVID-19 outbreak in a Bayamón prison rises to 167

The COVID-19 outbreak reported last week in Bayamón 501 prison rose to 167 infections with 24 new positive cases, the designated secretary of the government confirmed this Sunday. Correction and Rehabilitation Department (DCR), Ana Escobar Pabón.

Likewise, the official indicated that a pre-vaccination process had been completed last night at the aforementioned correctional facility, as part of the agency’s strategy together with the Department of Health to stop the outbreak and prevent future infections, with a total of 416 inmates. vaccinated against COVID-19, including those diagnosed with the virus.

“All have received the vaccine, except for the two who have been hospitalized. There is a medical opinion that has been requested from the CDC through Health. The answer was yes, they can be vaccinated ”, Insured Escobar.

“Twenty-six (prisoners) refused to receive the vaccine. Through our health educators, we lead the campaign to help them understand the importance of vaccination “, Hero.

Until noon, of the total of positive cases according to the diagnostic test, two prisoners remained in hospital. “One is clearly improving and the other continues with a rather reserved photo,” said the secretary. Those two prisoners didn’t get the vaccine. An additional prisoner showed acute symptoms, so he is under surveillance at the Correctional Medical Center, while the rest of the positive cases remain asymptomatic.

Escobar also reported that of the positive cases, a person was serving the length of his sentence, for which he was released, but because he is a homeless person and diagnosed with the coronavirus, he moved to an organization that would remain in charge. associated care.

“The agency has made corresponding arrangements with an entity in Humacao, an organization that provides shelter for homeless patients so that they can receive medical treatment to protect their health,” he said.

The inmates and prison staff are part of the vaccination sub-phase 1-b, scheduled to start in mid-January, but in light of the situation of the outbreak, Health decided to bring some doses of the vaccine forward to Bayamón 501. The secretary said that by tomorrow, Monday, the vaccination of about 540 employees of the correctional facility, including civilians and correctional guards, should be completed.

The DCR requested Salud for about 6,000 vaccinations to cover the staff of the entire correctional system. Escobar reported that once the vaccination phase has begun, the process will continue in the country’s prisons as the agency receives doses from the National Guard.

Correction projects it will vaccinate staff at Las Cucharas Correctional Complex in Ponce this week. Escobar said they will inform the staff of the various prisons about the dates of vaccination and the dates of vaccination of the detained population.

Positive with employees

The agency also confirmed that there is a case of a kitchen worker who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Villalba Social Treatment Center, one of two facilities that receive juvenile offenders.

“The employee was in contact with four offenders who were isolated and molecular tests were done and they were negative”, the agency argued in later written statements.

Two employees also recently tested positive at the Guerrero Correctional Center in Aguadilla. “All workers were tested and all negative for the molecular test,” said the DRC. So far, all those incarcerated in Guerrero have tested negative for the coronavirus.