Corrective Services NSW to extend Covid Command Post, 656,000 rapid tests stop 1500 cases

Hundreds of thousands of rapid antigen tests were conducted on correctional officers across NSW in an effort to stop Covid outbreaks. See the stats here.

A military-like operation — which saw Corrective Services bring together a team of specialists to stop Covid from entering prisons — is expected to be extended until atleast December in an effort to prevent outbreaks through winter.

An eye-watering 656,956 Rapid Antigen Tests were conducted on correctional officers and support staff across the network of correctional facilities across NSW as part of the Covid-19 Command Post, preventing close to 1500 Covid-positive employees from entering prisons.

Government sources revealed a proposal to extend the Covid Command Post operations through winter.

Frontline staff at Sydney’s Silverwater Prison are teaching inmates forensic cleaning skills as an additional measure to help keep COVID-19 outside prison walls., , Supplied images

“The establishment of a COVID-19 Command Post has ensured timely, informed and consistent communication across the organisation about protective measures, new case updates and critical changes to policy and practice,” A Corrective Services NSW spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph.

“The Command Post has been crucial to successfully managing the impact of COVID-19 on the NSW prison system.”

Officer Scott Everinghan inside the COVID 19 ward at the Field Hospital inside Silverwater correctional centre. (AAP IMAGE / Angelo Velardo)

The command post, which saw the collaboration of NSW Health, Justice Health, Corrective Services and union representatives, was tasked with developing containment plans for outbreaks, RAT screenings, isolation of new inmates to facilities, the staging of inmates during transfers and procurement of PPE.

“We thank all staff for their resilience and unwavering dedication to meeting the challenges presented by the pandemic,” the spokeswoman said. “We will continue to seek expert advice from the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and NSW Health during the winter season.

A new inmate is given a COVID vaccine on arrival at Silverwater. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“There is no intention of ceasing Command Post operations while COVID-19 continues to pose a risk to the health and safety of staff and inmates.”

Corrections Minister Geoff Lee said while he wasn’t overseeing the portfolio when the command post was launched, he recongised the “extensive work undertaken to keep officers and inmates safe”.

An inside look into Silverwater Jail in Sydney during the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

An inmate on the COVID cleaning team pictured deep cleaning a cell after an inmate is moved. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We need to maintain a Covid-free correctional system,” the minister said. “We still have outbreaks occasionally, which shows there is a continued need for the command post.”

Mr Lee said Corrective Services needed to take a “common-sense approach” when it came time to wind up the command centre.

“When we don’t need it anymore, we should wrap it up,” he said. “I am happy to use a pragmatic approach, I’m not focused on the dollars and cents when there is still a significant risk to our vulnerable prison population.”