Thailand’s Corrections Department reported an additional 1,219 new COVID-19 cases among inmates and detainees in three prisons today (Saturday), all of which were found through pro-active screening.
According to the report, 621 cases were found at Thon Buri Remand Prison, 510 cases at Klong Prem Central Prison and 88 at Bangkok Remand Prison. Most of the infected are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms. Six were sent to hospitals outside the prison for treatment.
The Corrections Department, however, said that it has tightened up monitoring of the COVID-19 situation in prisons by ensuring prison officials are subjected to screening every 14 days, and barred from visiting high-risk areas, and that newly-arrived prisoners, detainees who have to attend court or who have to be sent to hospitals are isolated for 21 days instead of 14, and subject to screening twice, before they are sent back to the cells.
The department has also coordinated with the courts, to arrange for virtual hearings, held via video conference, to avoid the need to take detainees to and from court and the associated risk of infection. The number of new arrivals in prisons has also been reduced.
The department said it has procured vaccines for its officials and will do so, eventually, for the prisoners, starting with those over 60.
