72-year-old female inmate dies of COVID-19

A 72-year-old inmate at the Correctional Institute for Women succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a 24 Oras report by Marisol Abdurahman on Monday.

With this latest case, the total number of CIW inmates who have tested positive for the disease is now 49.

On April 21, a 61-year-old CIW inmate died due to kidney failure, sepsis and pneumonia. Her results, which arrived on Monday, showed she tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the remaining 47 CIW inmates are currently in the Medium Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa for treatment.

The inmates are already in a stable condition and most are asymptomatic.

Earlier, the Muntinlupa City government had protested the Bureau of Corrections’ transfer of the COVID-19 positive inmates from the women’s prison in Mandaluyong City to the NBP.

According to the city health office, the BuCor did not inform or coordinate with the local government regarding the transfer of the CIW inmates.

“We weren’t even informed about the coming of these positive CIW na inmates na trinansfer sa amin without any coordination with the local government unit. ‘Di po nila binibigay ‘yong data data from the bilibid,” Dr. Tet Tuliao of the Muntinlupa city health office said.

The city health office said the transfer poses great risks not only to the people of Muntinlupa, the NBP personnel, but also other inmates in the facility.

BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag assured residents are safe and that the agency is continuously coordinating the matter.

“‘Di tayo tumitigil sa ating pakikipag-ugnayan. Ina-assure din natin sila na ang kanilang constituents ay ‘di po exposed,” he said.

“Sinisigurado natin ang community dito sa NBP ay safe at hindi po na-compromise ‘yong kanilang safety,” he added.

Chaclag added they are strictly implementing safety protocols within the facility.

So far, only one inmate has tested positive for the virus in the Medium Security Compound. The inmate died on Friday.

Those who had close contact with the inmate were already isolated. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News