Zambo jail now epicenter of Covid-19

ZAMBOANGA CITY – At least 14 new cases of novel coronavirus or Covid-19 were reported by local health authorities, bringing the total number of infected people here at 74, the task force on infectious diseases said Monday.

The Task Force Covid-19 headed by Mayor Beng Climaco said all the new cases were part of earlier testing conducted on over 100 prisoners and jail guards at the penitentiary. 

It said 8 prisoners and six jail guards tested positive for the deadly virus. All of them were transferred to an isolation area at the penitentiary to prevent others from contracting the respiratory disease.

Former prisoners on their way to a local hotel where they will spend 14 days under quarantine. (City Hall photos)

At least 60 prisoners have been ordered released by the court and are now placed under a 14-day quarantine at a local hotel before they are allowed to go back home, the task force said.

They also underwent Covid-19 testing as part of the health protocol.

Last week, a 61-year old female detainee tested positive for the virus died and became the 3^rd prisoner to succumb to the deadly respiratory disease. There are now over 3 dozen prisoners and jail guards also infected with the disease. But the number of infected prisoners is expected to increase as more Covid-19 test results are expected to come out in the comings days.

It was unknown how the prisoners contracted the virus since the penitentiary has been off limits to visitors since March following the imposition of the enhance community quarantine. Now, the whole area and the adjacent street is under total lock down and guarded by soldiers and policemen.  

Zamboanga City has over 600 suspected Covid-19 cases and at least 100 deaths since March.

Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone quarantine facilities. (City Hall photos)

Climaco said the local government is currently putting up a huge quarantine facilities inside the sprawling Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone. She said four buildings have been converted into quarantine areas and can accommodate at least 270 patients and a condotel for health care workers.

She also thanked Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone chairman Raul Regondola and the Philippine Army engineer brigade for helping in the construction of the facilities. (Zamboanga Post)

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