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No deaths as recent Kent Institution COVID-19 outbreak ends

A small outbreak of COVID-19 among inmates at Kent Institution is now over.
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112 cases of COVID-19 in two separate outbreaks have been reported at Kent Institution to date. (File Photo)

A small outbreak of COVID-19 among inmates at Kent Institution is now over.

As of Aug. 24, there are no active cases of COVID-19 at the maximum security institution, according to data from Correctional Service Canada (CSC). There were nine inmates who were infected in an outbreak that began on July 29. The last inmate recovered on Aug. 21.

There has been a total of 112 inmates infected with COVID-19 in two separate outbreaks at Kent Institution. More than 900 COVID-19 tests have been recorded to date among the inmate population.

There have been no deaths associated with any outbreak at Kent Institution. Nationwide, there have been 6,253 cases of COVID-19 among inmates. Of those, six have died as of Aug. 24.

All CSC staff are provided with personal protection equipment, including medical masks, respirators and face shields. Inmates are also provided medical masks and asked to wear them at all times when not in their cells. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures remain in place.

34.4 per cent of Kent Institution inmates are fully vaccinated with a booster; 65.2 per cent have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 68.3 per cent have received at least one dose.

Mountain Institution has seen 134 cases of COVID-19 to date. 68 per cent of inmates there are fully vaccinated with a booster, while 85 per cent have received two doses of the vaccine and 88.5 per cent have received at least one dose. At Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge, there have been only 10 cases of COVID-19 reported since the beginning of the pandemic. All inmates at the healing lodge have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 90.9 per cent have received one booster dose.

Anyone entering correctional facilities is screened for COVID-19.