Asked by: Lord Greaves (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many, and what proportion of, persons held in prisons who have been tested for COVID-19 have (1) tested positive, (2) been removed to hospitals, and (3) died following a positive test; and whether persons who are (a) admitted to, and (b) released from, prison are tested at the time of admittance or release.
Answered by Lord Keen of Elie - Shadow Minister (Justice)
As of Friday 15 May, 422 prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19. This is an accumulative total and does not represent the number of live cases. Some of those that previously tested positive will have now made a full recovery.
As of Friday 15 May, 51 prisoners, who have tested positive for COVID-19 were removed to hospitals. However, from available data it is not possible to confirm whether individuals tested positive before or after hospitalisation.
Sadly, as of Friday 15 May, 21 prisoners have died having tested positive for the virus. It is a matter for coroners to determine a cause of death.
Although there is some testing conducted on symptomatic prisoners, COVID-19 testing is not yet a routine part of the prison reception process. New cohorting strategies have been developed however, and as a result prisons are implementing units to isolate the sick, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals for a period of 14 days to reduce risk of transmission.
All new receptions into prison are screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 by healthcare professionals.
COVID-19 testing is not part of the prison release process.
These are interim figures as reported by prisons. They are subject to revision as more information becomes available.