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Covid-19 Outbreaks Confirmed At Both Midlands Prisons

Friday, 31 December 2021 09:37

Portlaoise Prison

Mass testing of all prisoners and staff is underway.

The Irish Prison Service is managing covid outbreaks at both the Midlands and Portlaoise Prisons.

Seven inmates from C Division in Portlaoise Prison have tested positive, while one inmate from the G Division of the Midlands Prison has contracted the virus. 

Outbreak Control Teams have been set up at both facilities and each division is operating on a restricted regime until mass testing of prisoners and staff is complete.

Visiting has also been restricted while testing is underway.

 The Outbreak Control Teams and prison management have implemented additional infection control measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 to the wider prison population.

The local outbreaks are among four currently being handled by the Irish Prison Service.

Elsewhere, 22 cases have been confirmed among prisoners and staff at Mountjoy.

A high rate of positive cases have been detected among staff members at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin.

A third round of staff testing is underway.

To date, there are currently no positive prisoners at Wheatfield and both physical and video visits remain in operation under strict infection control measures.

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