207 Inmates In Riau Positive For COVID-19 Underwent Independent Isolation, One Room Filled With 10-15 People

Head of the Riau Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Ibnu Chuldun wearing complete personal protective equipment while inspecting the Class IIA Women's Prison in Pekanbaru (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - As many as 207 prisoners or residents assisted by the Class II A Correctional Institution (Lapas) Pekanbaru, Riau Province, were confirmed positive for COVID-19. Currently they are undergoing treatment in independent isolation in prison.

"Those who are confirmed positive (COVID-19) without symptoms undergo independent isolation in prison isolation rooms," said Head of the Riau Regional Legal and Human Rights Office Ibnu Chuldun in Pekanbaru, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, November 3.

He said that the isolation area for the hundreds of assisted residents in Blok G used 16 rooms, each containing 10 to 15 people.

"The next step is separating and placing non-positive inmates from Block B to Block F, and spraying disinfectants throughout the residential and office rooms as well as the guidance area and the yard," he said.

To increase the immunity of the assisted residents, the prison authorities also provide multivitamins to all assisted residents. In addition, he also carries out strict supervision of health protocols and implementation of activities in accordance with applicable standard operating procedures.

"Until now the prison is in a conducive condition," he said.

According to him, the number of prisoners and prison officers infected with COVID-19 at the facility continues to grow.

Initially it was suspected that the infection occurred from prison officers, then it spread quickly because the number of assisted residents had exceeded the capacity.

The occupancy capacity of Class II A Pekanbaru Prison, he said, is actually only for 771 people. However, now there are 1,501 assisted residents. The number of officers was 109 people.

The increase in the number of cases was discovered after 26-27 October Class II A Pekanbaru Prison conducted a mass swab test for all assisted employees and residents. In total, there are now 207 prisoners who have tested positive for COVID-19, while there are five infected employees.

"Five employees of the Class I IA Pekanbaru Prison are currently conducting independent isolation. Previously, four employees had carried out isolation entering its 14th day," he said.

He ordered all employees and assisted residents to be disciplined in implementing health protocols, namely paying attention to 3 M (washing hands with soap with running water, maintaining distance, and wearing masks.

Prisons have also added hand washing stations, both in the front area of prisons and in areas inside prisons and residential blocks, then spraying disinfectant every day throughout the office workspace and inside residential blocks.