Cluster Infection Spreads from Dongbu Detention Center... 5 More Confirmed Cases Transferred to Gangwon Northern Prison

by Cho Seongpill

Published 31 Dec.2020 18:28(KST)

The scene of a COVID-19 cluster infection outbreak at Seoul Eastern Detention Center. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Following the 4th full-scale COVID-19 screening conducted among staff and inmates at Seoul Dongbu Detention Center, 126 inmates tested positive, and an additional 5 inmates transferred to Gangwon Bukbu Prison were confirmed positive.

According to the Ministry of Justice on the 31st, among the 126 inmates transferred from Dongbu Detention Center to Gangwon Bukbu Prison, 5 were recently confirmed positive for COVID-19. As of 5 p.m. that day, the total number of confirmed cases in correctional facilities was 968, including 929 inmates and 39 staff members. Among these, the number of confirmed cases related to Seoul Dongbu Detention Center was 923 in total, with 902 inmates and 21 staff members. The number of confirmed inmates by institution is as follows: Dongbu Detention Center 535, Gyeongbuk Bukbu 2 Prison 345, Gwangju Prison 21, Nambu Prison 16, Seoul Detention Center 2, and Gangwon Bukbu Prison 6.

The Ministry of Justice decided to implement Level 3 social distancing across all correctional facilities for two weeks starting today to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within correctional institutions. General visits by inmates will be completely suspended for two weeks until the 13th of next month. Attorney visits will only be allowed in unavoidable cases. Work and educational activities will also be suspended.