The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced on Thursday that they will be implementing a minimum health standard protocol at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and Correctional Institution for Women to protect its personnel and stakeholders due to spike of Covid-19 cases.
In a memorandum issued by BuCor Dir. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr. through OIC-Dir. Gen. for Operations, Angelina Bautista, all visitors, individuals transacting in all offices of the BuCor, NBP-National Head Quarters are required to wear facemask and present latest Rapid Antigen Test result.
Visitation privileges will remain suspended until further notice.
To date, out of 577 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who underwent Covid-19 rapid antigen test the past two days and today, 55 were found to be positive (30 with mild symptoms and 22 asymptomatic) while one BuCor personnel tested positive, according to Dra. Ma. Cecilia Villanueva, Acting Director of BuCor health and services.
The first batch who tested positive numbering 32 (included to the 55) who were all asymptomatic are requesting that they be allowed out of the isolation ward but Dra. Villanueva told them that they have to undergo another rapid antigen test scheduled tomorrow before they can be discharged.
There were no reports of other Covid-19 cases in other penal and prison farm nationwide, Villanueva said.
“We will continue to undertake contact tracing just to make sure that our personnel and PDLs are safe,” Villanueva added.
Catherine R. Cueto
