COVID-19 outbreak reported in Bayamón Correctional Institution

An outbreak of COVID-19 In Bayamón Correctional Institution, it affects 143 inmates, it was reported tonight.

Of these, 141 are asymptomatic, emphasized the designated Secretary of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DRC) Ana Escobar Pabón.

The outbreak is specific in module 1 of the Bayamón 501 correctional institution.

Two of the infected are locked up in a hospital.

“I was informed of this situation this afternoon. The Physician Correctional report, in charge of medical services at the DCR, provides information on that the situation was established last Tuesday December 28 when it was learned that a positive correctional officer was in contact with five prisoners. They all worked in the motor pool at the Bayamón correctional complex. These detainees, in turn, interacted with members of the module 1 population, for which molecular tests were conducted on all of them in the housing unit where they live. Today we have this result and we are working with the Ministry of Health to maintain control “Escobar indicated Pabón.

The agency activated the current protocol and all those affected will be in isolation for the next 14 days and cared for by the institution’s medical personnel. Molecular testing will be performed on the rest of the correctional population in the Bayamón 501 institution and on security personnel and civilians who may have been exposed.

As additional measures within the institution, Escobar specified the use of disposable packaging for the distribution of food, the cancellation of transfers to and from the institution. In addition, civilian personnel will work remotely and we will send extra protective equipment for employees to protect themselves against possible contamination.

Regarding the visits to the Bayamón 501 institution, the government official said they have been canceled in accordance with the current implementing decree and until the quarantine period has expired. He added that he made sure to have Physician Correctional staff on duty 24 hours a day to treat any symptoms of the correctional population and to prevent the virus from spreading to other institutions of the correctional system.

“I have made all the epidemiology personnel available to the Department of Correction to handle the emergency and trace the route to take to control the infections. On the part of the Ministry of Health, they will undergo the tests and necessary treatments to attend the situation and ensure the health of everyone in the correctional system. “Carlos Mellado López, Minister of Health stressed.

“I would like to thank the designated Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Carlos Mellado and his team for their support today and during this process,” concluded Escobar Pabón.