By Jonathan Hicap
Two inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong have died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitals, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) announced Tuesday.
The quarantine area, or “Site Harry,” at the NBP medium security camp that currently houses 47 COVID-19 positive inmates from the CIW. (Photo courtesy of BuCor)
According to BuCor spokesperson Gabriele Chaclag, one of the two who died was a 72-year-old prisoner, who was BuCor’s first COVID-19 positive case and whose condition was announced on April 18. The inmate had a history of diabetes and was diagnosed at the CIW infirmary with community acquired pneumonia. She was admitted to the Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila and died on April 27.
The second was an inmate who died on April 21 due to sepsis, systemic lupus, and pneumonia, but her COVID-19 positive test result came out only on April 27. She was a long-time patient at East Ave Medical Center since March 20 this year.
Last week, BuCor reported that a 56-year-old male prisoner at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) medium security camp tested positive for COVID-19, BuCor’s first case at the national penitentiary. He died at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang on April 23.
On April 21, BuCor said 18 CIW inmates and one BuCor medical staff tested positive for the virus after being exposed to the 72-year-old prisoner. Later on, 29 CIW inmates also became infected with COVID-19. The 47 positive prisoners were brought to the NBP quarantine area, named “Site Harry,” in the medium security camp.
“The 47 are okay. They have no severe symptoms,” Chaclag told Manila Bulletin.
In total, there are now 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases under BuCor: 50 inmates and one employee.