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More than 100 prison guards and inmates are isolating after a Covid-19 case linked to Spring Hill jail.
A Corrections officer tested positive last night after being at a location of interest. They worked at the prison on Saturday.
The 123 inmates who may have had contact with case are now being segregated and tested.
Only 46 of them have had their first vaccination. Twenty-three staff are also stood down. The infected officer is fully vaccinated.
President of the Corrections Association Alan Whitley told Checkpoint prison officers try the best they can to stay within bubbles, but depending on staff absences “there is some contamination” which is unavoidable.
He also confirmed prisoner escorts have taken place under alert level 4.
“I know some prisoner escorts took place under alert level 4 to free up some beds. Some of those beds that were freed up were at Spring Hill so that they could take remand prisoners that came in and also manage the isolation units and quarantine units if they needed to do so.
“I’m not aware of any prisoners of the moving out of Spring Hill at this point in time, but there could be other movements taking place around the country if we’re having bed shortages.”
Minister for Corrections Kelvin Davis declined to be interviewed but said in a statement he thanks the infected staff member for their vigilance in getting tested.
He said Corrections has been planning for this possibility for some time and he said he has full confidence that their thorough plans will limit any spread of the virus within the prison.