BBC Young Reporter @ LCS
Ministry of justice steps in as prison in Rutland sees COVID-19 outbreak
By: Idrees
An outbreak at a prison in the smallest county in England has caused it to have the highest infection rates in the country, officials have said.
The ministry of justice have published the stats which show the smallest county in England has the highest infection rates.
Statistics revealed that the county had 199 new cases on the week going up to the 4th of February. The rates per 100,000 people showed 498.4 had the virus. (COVID-19)
Mike Sandys, director of Public Health England for Leicestershire county council and Rutland, claimed Rutland’s compact citizenry of little under 40,000 occupants indicated that its’ infection rate was more vulnerable to spikes. He encourages people to conserve social distancing measures to “stop the virus spreading.” In spite of the prison outbreak, Mr Sandys claimed that Rutland was following a downward trend, including the rest of the East Midlands, “Coming down steadily”.
Ms Kearns, the MP for the county, explained that she believed half of the positive cases in Rutland were coming from the prison. (50%) Furthermore, she included that she had her “full support and confidence”, to get the outbreak calmed down.
The ministry of justice have not yet specified how many cases were originated at the prison, but claim to be taking “precautionary measures,” and “will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
A statement from the “MOJ” stated: “Our priority is to limit the spread of the virus (Covid-19) and protect the lives of those who live and work in our prisons.”