Dongbu Detention Center Designated as Residential Treatment Center... Non-Confirmed Cases Transferred to Other Detention Centers (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Seoul Eastern Detention Center, where a large-scale cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred, will be designated as a living treatment center.

On the 29th, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated in an online briefing, "The Eastern Detention Center itself will be designated and managed as a living treatment center."

According to the Ministry of Justice, on the 27th, during the second round of testing, 1,689 inmates who tested negative underwent a third round of mass testing, and 233 inmates were newly confirmed positive. This brought the cumulative number of confirmed cases to 757.

Son explained, "Since the 24th, incoming inmates have been given rapid antigen tests, and those infected have had their detention execution postponed. Inmates who tested positive at that time were transferred to other living treatment centers, and only those who tested negative were quarantined and managed, but this time, another round of testing was conducted."

The government is currently considering conducting rapid antigen tests for all new inmates in correctional facilities. Son stated, "The Ministry of Justice and the Central Disease Control Headquarters are investigating and establishing recurrence prevention measures such as testing all inmates. According to the designation as a living treatment center, inmates who are not confirmed positive at the Eastern Detention Center will be transferred to other detention centers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.