Covid-19 continues to infect both inmates and prison staff in prisons. In these overcrowded places, the virus circulates at a maddening speed and can infect a large number of people, as in the prison of Sainte-Martin-de-Ré in Charente-Maritime.
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83 detainees are positive for Covid-19 at the central house in Saint-Martin-de-Ré (Charente-Maritime), including 76 who tested positive during a massive screening of 141 people on Friday February 18, franceinfo learned on Monday February 21 from prison administration and the Force Ouvrière trade union.
Several cases of coronavirus had been detected from the beginning of February, until mid-February 35 among prisoners. The FO union and the management therefore made a “cluster” declaration as soon as the third case of covid appeared with the regional health agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, to request general screening, indicates the union.
The inmates are “self-contained” in their cells. The whole organization has been redesigned, specifies the prison administration to separate the walks of prisoners positive for Covid-19 from those of other prisoners. Visiting rooms are suspended for positive detainees. Showers are also alternated between positive and non-positive prisoners with disinfection of the premises between each group. The workshops and the gymnasium are closed, and collective activities suspended.
Prison staff regularly self-test. Due to numerous sick leaves, staff reinforcements have been put in place, indicates the Force Ouvrière union. A new screening should be organized soon.