DCS confirms COVID cluster at Hilltop Juvenile Centre

Fourteen wards, and 15 members of staff at the Hilltop Juvenile Correctional Centre in Bamboo, St Ann have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours.

According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as a result of the 29 new cases, the institution has been placed under a 14 day quarantine and only essential activities will be accommodated. 

No new admissions or transfers will be allowed, and releases will be reported to the Health Department.

All positive staff have also been directed to self-isolate.

The DCS says it will continue its consultative approach to managing the pandemic within the penal institutions, collaborating with the MOHW and Public Health Departments to conduct testing programmes in centres once any positive cases are detected. 

There are currently 16 active inmate cases and 43 staff cases in the DCS.

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