Coronavirus: more than 7,000 inmates, persons remanded in Hong Kong prisons to test for Covid-19 amid ‘first widespread infections’ there
- Correctional Services Department says seven persons in custody have tested positive for Covid-19 since February 8
- Each inmate or remanded person has to take four rapid tests and one involving deep throat saliva specimens as part of efforts to detect hidden infected patients, source says
The measures came as the Correctional Services Department (CSD) said on Thursday that seven persons in custody (PICs) had tested positive for Covid-19 since February 8.
A senior government source told the Post that from Friday, each inmate or remanded person would have to take four rapid tests and one involving deep throat saliva specimens as part of efforts to detect hidden infected patients.
“In the beginning of the fifth wave, some visitors to the institutions were infected with the coronavirus. Some of our staff were later infected too. It is important to curb the transmission and identify infected inmates that were off the radar,” the source said.
“Inmate or remanded persons are only allowed to attend trial after their results are all negative.”
A Judiciary spokesman said it was closely monitoring the public health situation to implement measures in a timely manner and ensure the courts could continue to operate safely.
He said that all scheduled trials would continue to be heard as expected.
Judges would also make appropriate instructions based on the circumstances of individual cases, including CSD arrangements regarding any remanded persons and the defendant’s inability to appear in court due to illness, the spokesman added.