72-year-old is Corrections first positive COVID-19 case

April 19, 2020

The Bureau of Correction (BuCor) has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after a 72-year-old inmate at the Correction Institution for Women (CIW) tested positive for the COVID-19.

Justice Undersecretary and spokesman Markk Perete disclosed on Sunday that the BuCor, which is under the administrative supervision by the Department of Justice, reported that elderly inmate was admitted at Sta. Ana Hospital on April 13.Earlier, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said 18 inmates and personnel of the Quezon City Jail have been tested positive for coronavirus.

The isolation facility in Quezon City was set up after an inmate died of suspected COVID-19 last March 25. 

Seventeen persons deprived of liberty were placed in isolation after contact tracing and were tested for COVID-19. 

Nine tested positive.Corrections Superintendent Virgina Mangawit said that the inmate has history of diabetes miletus  type2.

Perete said the CIW is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) for contact tracing. DMS