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8 Mountain Institution inmates in Agassiz test positive for COVID-19 in new outbreak

This marks the second outbreak of the year for the medium-security facility
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Eight inmates at Mountain Institution in the Agassiz area tested positive for COVID-19 recently. (File Photo)

Eight inmates at Mountain Institution have tested positive for COVID-19, marking its second outbreak of the year.

Information from Correctional Services Canada (CSC) indicates the first positive test was reported on Nov. 28. CSC said in a release on Tuesday, Dec. 6, that measures are in place to minimize the spread of the virus within the institution.

“This is an evolving situation and we continue to apply and reinforce infection prevention and control measures to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, and adapt based on public health advice,” the CSC stated. The control measures include personal protection equipment for staff and inmates as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the facility.

RELATED: COVID-19 outbreak at Mountain Institution in Agassiz grows to 66 inmates

CSC has been vaccinating inmates since the beginning of 2021. 80 per cent of the inmate population throughout B.C. have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Kent Institution’s population is 65.5 per cent fully vaccinated, Mountain Institution’s population is 84.3 per cent fully vaccinated, and Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge’s population is listed as 100 per cent fully vaccinated.

There have been no deaths in local institutions during any COVID-19 outbreak in any of the Agassiz-area institutions. The only death associated with institutional outbreaks occurred at the Mission Institution in the spring of 2020.

RELATED: No deaths as recent Kent Institution COVID-19 outbreak ends

There have been a total of 892 positive COVID-19 tests among the inmate population across the province. 114 cases came from Kent Institution, 19 tested positive at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge in Sts’ailes and 143 cases were found at Mountain Institution.


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