Summary

MISSION (NEWS 1130) — Nurses will now be on scene at the Mission Institution after it was ravaged by a massive COVID-19 outbreak.

New health measures come after experts visited the medium-security prison last week and made some recommendations for infection prevention and control measures.

“As a result of their recommendations, we have implemented additional hand-washing stations, increased hygiene supplies throughout the institution, and continue to disinfect high-contact surfaces multiple times a day,” Correctional Service of Canada said in a release Sunday.

Mission Institution now has a nurse at the federal prison 24/7. It comes after experts visited the #COVID19 plagued federal prison and made recommendations. More hand-washing stations are coming and hygiene supplies are being increased says corrections in release this morning.

— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) April 26, 2020

The new measures include a nurse roster and a physician available throughout the week to provide care for inmates.

“We have dedicated equipment, such as low flow oxygen, and necessary medications in our institutions to treat inmates,” the release reads.

“In addition, a mobile medical unit at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital in British Columbia is in place to help support the inmates at Mission Institution, who may require hospital care.”

Corrections says it’s now bringing in additional hand-washing stations, increasing hygiene supplies, and modifying routines to allow physical distancing.

On Saturday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported a “dramatic jump” in provincial cases due to the ongoing Mission Federal Correctional Facility outbreak.

At least 105 inmates and 12 correctional officers have tested positive for the virus at the prison since an outbreak was discovered three weeks ago.

Two inmates are in the hospital recovering from the virus, according to Henry Saturday.

“We continue to medically isolate inmates who are symptomatic or have tested positive to prevent spread to others. This helps to protect inmates that do not have the virus and those who may be more vulnerable, such as older inmates or those with an underlying health condition,” CSC release reads.