(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public health

COVID outbreak at Sask. Penitentiary showing signs of improvement

Apr 19, 2022 | 5:33 PM

Editor’s note: this story was updated on Wednesday, to include comments from CSC

Inmates at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary are still clearly dealing with COVID-19, but active case numbers continue to drop since an outbreak was announced on April 2.

At one point this month there were as many as 117 positive cases amongst inmates in the medium security unit. As of Tuesday, the active case count had dropped to 76.

No deaths have been reported.

Visits are currently being allowed, however visitors to all Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) institutions and offices are required to wear a mask.

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CSC continues to follow Public Service Occupational Health Program COVID-19 Guidance, which requires masks to be worn in all Government of Canada workplaces.

There are no active cases at the Regional Psych Centre, Willow Cree Healing Centre, or the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge.

According to a statement provided to paNOW, the CSC continues to apply and reinforce infection prevention and control measures to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, and adapts these measures based on public health advice.

“All staff at Saskatchewan Penitentiary are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including medical masks, respirators, and face shields. All inmates are provided medical masks and are encouraged to wear them at all times when not in their cells. We continue to apply enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the site as well,” the statement explained.

The CSC went to explain the institution is using the integrated risk management framework (IRMF) to monitor activities, such as programs and visits, and are implementing mitigation measures and adapting its operations to ensure everyone’s protection. The IRMF is reviewed and updated regularly so that CSC is ready to adapt its operations quickly, as required. As such, Saskatchewan Penitentiary has placed units with COVID-19 cases on a modified routine. This helps to minimize movements between different units to prevent spread.

Staff are required to complete and have a negative rapid test before reporting to work. Programs for medium security inmates are currently on hold and where needed, staff have been reassigned to support priority areas such as the kitchen and stores. All individuals entering the institution are also actively screened.

“CSC is committed to reducing the risks of COVID-19 in all of its operations and continues to work with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), local public health, as well as unions and stakeholders to take any further steps needed to ensure everyone’s safety.”

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell