35 inmates test positive for COVID-19 in Ponce prison

The Department of Correction and Rehabilitation reported that 35 inmates from module 59 of the Ponce 676 facility tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a press release from the agency, 34 people are asymptomatic and have mild symptoms.

The agency said Physician Correctional, the company responsible for the health of the correctional population, performed 452 molecular tests and 161 tests on workers and prison staff yesterday, and the results are expected.

The designated Secretary Ana Escobar recalled that, as on previous occasions, the agency activated the current protocol and that all involved They will be in isolation for the next 14 days and cared for by the institution’s medical staff.

“Epidemiology and hygiene personnel from the Department of Health, Correctional Health and Physician Correctional are proactively working to stop the spread of the virus while the detection process is carried out. It is important to note that next Monday, January 18, once the vaccines are received, we will begin the vaccination process at the Ponce prison complex. This process includes the Ponce and Villalba social treatment centers. This vaccination schedule will run until January 22, “the official said.

As additional measures within the institution, the cancellation of transfers to and from the Ponce 676 institution was ordered.

Regarding visits to correctional institutions, the secretary said the They are canceled in accordance with the current implementing decree and as a protective measure. “Once the population is vaccinated, we will follow the recommendations of health professionals and evaluate the current guideline,” he concluded.

Previously, Correction reported that there was an outbreak of COVID-19 under 167 in Bayamón Prisonteenagers.