Covid-19 hits prison system: One inmate and five workers test positive | Carta

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Covid-19 hits prison system: One inmate and five workers test positive | Carta

5:16 CAT | 09 Feb 2021

File photo: Carta

Panic has come to Pavilion 4 of the Maputo Province Prison (EPPM), the former Machava Central Prison, the largest prison in the province. One inmate has tested positive for the new coronavirus, leaving more than 100 fellow prisoners “terrified”.

According to sources, the individual showed symptoms of Covid-19, but was allegedly only taken to the hospital – where his infection with the new coronavirus would be confirmed – after four days. During the period in which he was ill [in prison], the individual maintained contact with other inmates who, in turn, maintained contact with still others, raising the level of alert in the penitentiary. Only this Monday was the prisoner isolated.

According to ‘Carta’ sources, if the spread of the virus in the penitentiary is confirmed, a “catastrophe” is in sight, as the cells are still full, the prison management not having fully complied with presidential pardon yet. Only an estimated 40% of the pardoned EPPM prisoners have so far actually benefited from the measure.

Five infected employees in Maputo city’s former Cadeia Civil

At the Maputo Preventive Prison Establishment, formerly the Cadeia Civil, five employees have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week. Sources there claim that the infected workers allegedly hid their clinical condition and continued working with co-workers and prisoners.

According to the ‘Carta’ sources, one of those infected is the head of one of the shifts, and therefore responsible for the daily count of prisoners in both male and female sectors of the prison. This individual was reportedly ill while at work, and was evacuated in an emergency to one of the health units in the country’s capital, add the same sources..

Sources contacted by ‘Carta’ add that sanitation material has been lacking for a month, as a result of alleged irregularities perpetrated by some employees.

SERNAP maintains silence

This Monday, ‘Carta’ contacted the spokesman of the National Penitentiary Service (SERNAP), Clemente Intsuamele, to confirm the existence of these Covid-19 cases, as well as to learn about institutional health protocols.

Intsuamele told Carta that he was not in a position to satisfy our request, as he is on vacation, and directed us to the Director of Health of the Penitentiary Service, Cremilde Anli, who, unfortunately, did not return our calls.

By Omardine Omar and Marta Afonso

Source: Carta de Moçambique