At least 57 active COVID-19 cases linked to Regina Correctional Centre
Mickey Djuric | CBC News | Posted: December 31, 2020 10:20 PM | Last Updated: December 31, 2020
54 inmates, 3 staff members diagnosed with COVID-19
At least 57 people at the Regina Correctional Centre are infected with COVID-19.
As of Thursday, 54 inmates and three staff members have been diagnosed with the virus, according to the province.
"The number is expected to increase as testing is underway," the province said in a news release.
SGEU, the union that represents correctional workers across the province, said just a third of inmates have had their tests results returned so far.
The union also gave a higher case total than the province.
According to SGEU, there are 60 inmates at the jail who have COVID-19, along with three staff members.
The province said all new inmates are tested for the virus before they are booked and again tested 10 days later.
"Offenders are also tested if they are symptomatic, are identified as requiring testing due to contact tracing, or being moved to a reduced custody setting," the province said.
Saskatchewan is grappling with several active outbreaks in correctional facilities. The others are at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre and the Saskatoon Correctional Centre.
The Regina outbreak is now the largest, according to the union. SGEU said that as of Wednesday the Saskatoon jail has seven active cases and the Prince Albert jail has eight.
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