[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] Amid a COVID-19 cluster infection at Hongseong Correctional Institution in Chungnam, a total of 17 people have tested positive as of the 17th in a full-scale inspection of correctional facilities nationwide excluding Hongseong.
According to the Ministry of Justice, from the 14th to the 16th of this month, a full COVID-19 screening was conducted on 68,462 staff and inmates at 53 correctional facilities nationwide, resulting in 17 confirmed cases at 12 institutions including Suwon Detention Center. This figure does not include the confirmed cases at Hongseong Correctional Institution where the cluster infection occurred. The full inspection results for Hongseong Correctional Institution are expected to be released on the 18th.
There were a total of 10 infected staff members, with one case each reported at Seoul Eastern Detention Center, Seoul Southern Detention Center, Seoul Southern Correctional Institution, Incheon Detention Center, Daegu Correctional Institution, Gyeongbuk Northern No.1 Correctional Institution, Gyeongbuk Northern No.2 Correctional Institution, Cheongju Women’s Correctional Institution, Gongju Correctional Institution, and Miryang Detention Center.
Among the 17 confirmed cases, 10 were staff and 7 were inmates. All staff had completed their second vaccination dose but still experienced breakthrough infections. The inmates had tested negative via PCR upon admission but were confirmed positive during full-scale testing conducted during their two-week quarantine. The facilities with confirmed inmate cases were Suwon Detention Center (1), Seoul Southern Detention Center (1), and Hwaseong Vocational Training Correctional Institution (5).
The Ministry of Justice will conduct additional full-scale testing from the 20th to the 24th targeting approximately 17,000 correctional facility staff nationwide, excluding inmates.
A Ministry of Justice official stated, "We will do our best, including strengthening proactive PCR testing, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within correctional facilities."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
