Prisoner tests positive for covid19

The prison service has confirmed that a convicted prisoner at the Port of Spain Prison has tested positive for covid19.
In a statement on its Facebook page, the prison service said the prisoner – who has underlying medical issues – complained on Sunday of having symptoms of the virus and was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was tested. The test result returned positive and he was taken to the Caura Hospital, where he is being treated. His family has been contacted and informed about his condition.

“The area where the prisoner was housed was immediately evacuated and sanitised. The prisoners who shared the same cell have since been placed under quarantine and are being observed for symptoms,” said the post.
The prison service quoted acting Commissioner of Prisons Dennis Pulchan as saying despite all the preventative measures implemented at the prisons to maintain a covid19-free environment, it was inevitable infections would happen there with the emergence of community cases.
Pulchan said his officers had performed remarkably throughout the pandemic and were under strict instructions not to report for duty if they had any flu-like symptoms or were in any contact with anyone testing positive or under quarantine.
“They have been advised to seek medical attention at the health facility nearest to them.
Pulchanalso told friends and relatives of prisoners that the situation was being managed to contain the virus "and every effort is being made to keep their loved ones safe and secure.
He said the "immediate and stringent" measures undertaken by the Prison Service from the onset of the pandemic had effectively prevented the spread of the virus in prisons and it would maintain these measures in an effort to reduce the spread.
Public relations officer of the Coast Guard Kadija Lamy could neither confirm nor deny that three Coast Guard officers had tested positive for covid19.
“All information regarding people who contracted covid19 is in the hands of the Chief Medical officer and the Ministry of Health,” Lamy said.
A report from a local news source said two seamen at Staubles Bay and a third at the heliport, where Coast Guard officers oversee illegal immigrants while they await deportation, had tested positive.