Growth in the Kent Institution outbreak has slowed down as Correctional Service Canada (CSC) reports 99 inmates and at least 18 employees infected with COVID-19 in an outbreak that began shortly before the new year.
Initial growth was rapid through the inmate population. It began with two cases and grew to 33 within the first two weeks. The third and fourth weeks saw the outbreak grow from 33 to 41 inmate cases and from 41 to 93 cases of COVID-19. Between Jan. 18 and press time, only six new inmate cases of COVID-19 have been added to the count.
Of the 269 COVID-19 tests administered during the ongoing outbreak, about 36 per cent returned positive results. Of the 99 inmates infected with COVID-19, as of publication, 48 are deemed recovered, leaving 51 active cases.
RELATED: Kent Institution outbreak enters fourth week with nearly 100 inmate cases
The COVID-19 outbreak at Kwíkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge is projected to end Feb. 19; the last patient recovered on Jan. 22. Per public health protocol, outbreaks are considered ended 28 days after the last patient is considered recovered.
Kent Institution employees are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before entering the institution. According to Fraser, if a staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they are sent home and will be away from the workplace until they are deemed safe to return according to CSC and public health standards.
RELATED: Community spread responsible for COVID-19 cases at Kent Institution, CSC says
As of publication, 67.2 per cent of the Kent Institution inmate population has been fully vaccinated (72.3 per cent partially vaccinated). About 23 per cent of inmates have received a booster. At Mountain Institution, 83.8 per cent of inmates are fully vaccinated (88.1 per cent partially vaccinated). 58.7 per cent of inmates have received a booster. Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Lodge is 100 per cent partially vaccinated and 95 per cent fully vaccinated. 90 per cent of inmates have received a booster.
@adamEditor18
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.