Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Decline... Dongbu Detention Center Conducts 7th Comprehensive Survey (Summary)

6th Survey Results: 2 Additional Confirmed Cases... All Negative at High-Rise Building Facilities Suwon and Incheon Detention Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in correctional facilities, starting from Seoul Dongbu Detention Center, appears to be slowing down. Amid ongoing mass testing across correctional facilities nationwide, there have been no additional infections reported in the high-rise building-type correctional facilities, which are the greatest concern for health authorities and the Ministry of Justice. However, sporadic infection cases have emerged among detainees transferred from Dongbu Detention Center to other facilities, so it is still too early to be fully reassured.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 8th, Dongbu Detention Center will conduct the 7th mass test on approximately 570 inmates during the day. This measure aims to detect asymptomatic infections early, and two individuals who were classified as undecided in the 6th mass test were finally confirmed positive today.

The Ministry of Justice believes that the COVID-19 infection rate in correctional facilities in the metropolitan area has eased. In the mass testing conducted from the 30th of last month to the 6th of this month on 10,138 staff members and 31,893 inmates across 33 correctional institutions nationwide, all but five inmates tested negative.

Inmates at Suwon Detention Center and Incheon Detention Center, which are also high-rise building-type correctional facilities like Dongbu Detention Center, all tested negative. Due to concerns that a second Dongbu Detention Center incident could occur, the Ministry of Justice has ordered the establishment of an immediate activation system for isolation rooms for confirmed cases and isolation housing for close contacts.

However, cases of inmates transferred from Dongbu Detention Center to other facilities testing positive afterward continue to emerge, so it is not yet a situation to be fully reassured. Among the five individuals confirmed positive yesterday, four at Gangwon Northern Correctional Institution were inmates who tested negative at Dongbu Detention Center before being transferred.

The occurrence of deaths is also a cause for concern. A male inmate in his 70s, Mr. A, who was incarcerated at Dongbu Detention Center, tested positive for COVID-19 on the 25th of last month and died yesterday. On the morning of the day, he complained of breathing difficulties in his cell, received emergency treatment including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and was transferred to a hospital but passed away. Mr. A was known to have underlying conditions such as angina and hypertension. Consequently, the total number of inmates who have died from COVID-19 in correctional facilities nationwide has risen to three, including Mr. A.

It is also important to continue monitoring the fact that about half of the inmates transferred from Dongbu Detention Center, who tested positive and were moved to Gyeongbuk Northern Second Correctional Institution, have tested negative. Of the 341 confirmed cases retested, 155 tested negative at once.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice plans to continue additional testing at Dongbu Detention Center and Seoul Detention Center, where confirmed cases are still emerging. Testing will also be promptly conducted at the remaining 19 institutions where mass testing has not yet been performed.

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