COVID tests for 200 inmates stalled

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Some 200 inmates at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca were left hanging as the testing for the COVID-19 did not take place yesterday as planned.

Although specific reasons were not given as to what prevented the commencement of the critical exercise, prison sources alleged that inmates felt “rejected by the system.”

However, acting Prison Commissioner Dennis Pulchan only said “logistics weren’t in place.”

“Swabbing did not take place today (yesterday) but it will commence tomorrow (today) with all logistics in place,” Pulchan said.

Asked specifically the reasons for it not commencing, Pulchan replied: “Logistical issues but it was sorted out.”

The inmates waiting to be swabbed are the ones who have been identified as primary and secondary contacts.

They were identified through tracing of those who would have come in contact with the 18 inmates that tested positive for the virus over the weekend.