Thailand’s Corrections Department has reported an additional 506 COVID-19 cases among inmates, this time in Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. These are on top of the 1,795 cases in Bangkok Remand Prison and 1,039 in the Central Women’s Correctional Institution reported previously.

Dr. Weerakit Harnpariphan, deputy director-general of the department, said today (Friday) that the 506 COVID-19 infections were only found, through active screening, in Zone 4 of the prison, a zone for vocational training, and there are still several more zones which are yet to be screened.

He added, however, that the infected inmates have already been separated from those who are free from the disease and grouped in accordance with their symptoms.

He went on to say that prison officials will notify relatives of the infected inmates about their infection only if the inmate wishes them so to do. Relatives can directly contact prison officials for information if they are concerned, he said.