MISSION (NEWS 1130) — The number of inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19 at a prison in Mission continues to rise.
Thirty-five inmates at Mission Institution have the virus as of Sunday morning, which is up from 25 Saturday.
Four Correctional Officers working at the prison have also tested positive so far.
And out of the 54 inmates tested so far, only six have been negative for the virus, while another 13 are still waiting for test results.
A big jump in #COVID19 cases at Mission Institution.
35 inmates have now tested positive at the prison (up from 25 yesterday) plus the one case at Pacific Regional who was originally at Mission.
16% of inmates at the prison (which has capacity of 216) now have the virus. pic.twitter.com/ixvfPqtPX6
— Monika Gul (@MonikaGul) April 12, 2020
The prison has a capacity of 216, and as of Sunday, 16% of inmates at the prison now have the virus.
Mission is the only federal prison in B.C where guards have been confirmed to have the virus, although more than 50 cases have been recorded at three facilities in Quebec and one at an institution in Ontario.
Earlier this week, an infectious disease doctor warned of an “explosive outbreak” at Mission Institution if more wasn’t done to contain the virus.
On Saturday, B.C.’s top doctor Bonnie Henry said five of the inmates were being hospitalized.
She added the province is working closely with federal counterparts to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak at the Mission federal prison.
With files from Nikitha Martins, Mike Hall and Kelvin Gawley