Parklea jail locks down after inmate tests positive to COVID-19
The first case of COVID-19 has been detected behind bars in NSW sending a prison into lockdown – but like so many other infections it appears it was imported from Victoria.
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The first case of COVID-19 has been detected behind bars in NSW sending a prison into lockdown – but like so many other infections it appears it was imported from Victoria.
Parklea governor Paul Baker revealed on Thursday morning an infected inmate had arrived at the prison on July 27.
“I was informed late last night that an inmate in 6b tested positive for COVID-19,” he wrote.
“He arrived on 27th July and was subject to isolation procedures since his arrival.”
The revelation triggered an instant response. Prisoners in sections 6a and 6b remained locked in while deep cleaning took place.
No inmates went in or out of the centre and all staff wore masks in that part of the facility.
But it quickly became apparent the inmate likely had not contracted the virus in the prison system or even in NSW at all.
The 22-year-old man flew into Sydney on Sunday afternoon where he, along with his fellow passengers, were corralled and interviewed by NSW Health workers.
The health workers asked NSW Police to help identify the man.
The officers, who were deployed to the airport under Operation Coronavirus, realised there was a warrant out for his arrest.
The Daily Telegraph understands the man was wanted for driving offences in New South Wales and taken into custody.
He was driven to Mascot police station by the masked-up officers where the warrant was processed and he was charged.
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NSW Police say the officers were not exposed to the infected man, he was isolated and masked while in their custody, and the vehicle used to transport him was cleaned.
He was denied bail, sent to Surry Hills holding cells and then on to Parklea where his infection was first identified by Corrective Services NSW.
“As with all fresh custodies, he was isolated from the time of his arrest by NSW Police Force and subsequently by CSNSW before his transfer to Parklea,” a CSNSW spokeswoman said.
“At Parklea the inmate underwent mandatory COVID-19 testing and has been housed in isolation in Area 6B in accordance with standard protocols for COVID-19 infection control.”
Preliminary contact tracing with staff and inmates had confirmed the inmate has not had any close contacts in custody, on being transported, or at Parklea CC since his arrival, in accordance with the isolation protocols, she said.
After testing positive he was transferred to the special NSW Corrective Services COVID-19 hospital set up at Silverwater Metropolitan Remand and Reception prison.
CSNSW has established Isolation Hubs to safely manage COVID-19 positive inmates separate to other inmates.
“This is the first and only confirmed case of COVID-19 among correctional staff or inmates at any NSW correctional facility,” the spokeswoman said.
“The health and safety of our staff and inmates is our number one priority.
“The inmate’s family is being notified.”
Originally published as Parklea jail locks down after inmate tests positive to COVID-19