Five cases of COVID at Horizon Adult Remand Centre
Published:Sunday | August 30, 2020 | 12:00 AM
Five cases of COVID have been confirmed at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre in St Andrew.
The patients include inmates and correctional officers.
Matthew Samuda, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of National Security confirmed that cases of the virus have been reported at Horizon.
However, Samuda did not offer any details saying a statement would be released soon, likely through the Health Ministry.
In the meantime, he said the affected persons have been isolated.
Samuda said it was difficult to keep inmates socially distant in a correctional facility but the authorities have been trying to enforce the protocol.
He said masks have also been provided for inmates and staff but noted that there is a challenge to change the culture to one of mask-wearing.
"You have some very good people and you will find some weaknesses certainly in management," he said.
However, Samuda says following a meeting with senior prison authorities, he was satisfied that they were seized of the importance of ensuring that the COVID protocols are obeyed.
- Damion Mitchell
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