Melbourne prisoner cleared of coronavirus after test comes back negative
A sick inmate who triggered a lockdown at Melbourne prison unit has been cleared of coronavirus after a test came back negative.
Police & Courts
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A prisoner put into isolation at Melbourne Assessment Prison due to coronavirus fears is not infected.
The inmate underwent testing for COVID-19 and returned a negative result, according to the Department of Justice and Community.
The Herald Sun can reveal a Melbourne Assessment Prison unit was placed into lockdown on Monday due to concerns over a sick inmate.
A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said the prison enacted disease prevention measures, including inmate isolation, to control the potential risk of infection.
“Established processes for preventing and managing communicable diseases in custody, including isolation protocols are being followed,” the spokesperson said.
Melbourne Assessment Prison, located in West Melbourne, is a maximum-security prison with a high rotation of prisoners.
As coronavirus fears deepen, all prisoners entering the system are being screened for symptoms.
Each of the state’s prisons were issued coronavirus unit management guidelines earlier this month.
The guidelines, obtained by the Herald Sun, advise prisoners infected with the virus will be quarantined in the same unit in an effort to contain the spread.
Infected inmates are also encouraged, not required, to wear a mask when outside their room, according to the guidelines.
Transfers to other custodial facilities are also prohibited and infected inmates are to attend court hearings via videolink.
Visitors are also being quizzed about any potential risk they pose to inmates before being allowed in to prisons.
This includes whether they have travelled to countries including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Iran, Italy or Cambodia in the past 14 days or if they are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
Visitors are asked to leave the site immediately if any of these conditions apply to them.
Prison staff have undergone briefing on coronavirus symptoms, potential risks and procedures for managing the virus in recent weeks.
Some fear the virus screening criteria is inadequate and visitors could potentially lie to get inside prisons, potentially bringing the virus with them.
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus at Victorian prisons to date.
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