Outbreak declared as 24 inmates test positive

The union that represents employees at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, one of the largest federal prisons in Canada, says 24 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 after the first case was discovered on Saturday.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority confirmed an outbreak was declared at the prison on Saturday.

James Bloomfield, Prairies regional president of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, said Monday that the isolation process began when the first positive case was reported. He said testing of inmates has been “extensive,” taking place all day Saturday and Sunday.

In a media release issued Monday, the Correctional Service of Canada said the outbreak is limited to the medium security unit, which has a capacity of 457 inmates. No active cases have been reported among staff.

The CSC said it is equipped to conduct its own testing, including rapid tests, which are then confirmed by a laboratory. It added the Canadian Red Cross will provide advice on-site and guidance to help contain the spread of the virus. Testing is being offered to all staff and inmates at the prison.

Since the pandemic began, personal visits have been suspended, but telephone and video visitation have continued, according to the CSC. All visits are now temporarily suspended.

The CSC said it continues to screen employees entering the prison, all staff and inmates have medical masks, and cleaning and disinfecting have been increased.

By Monday afternoon, the 24 inmates who tested positive were all isolated together and staff had been cohorted to ensure there's no “cross-contamination” to other inmates, Bloomfield said. As well, all appropriate personal protective equipment and protocols are in place, he added.

“We're learning as we go, is the best way to can put that for all instances,” he said of the measures CSC has taken to date.

Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba, another one of the country's largest federal prisons, is also the site of an outbreak.

Both it and Sask. Pen are experiencing their first outbreaks now, but at Stony Mountain the outbreak affected the institution more extensively, affecting at least 80 inmates and a “big group” of staff, Bloomfield said.