A MEMBER of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service is one of the latest people to have contracted the Covid-19 virus.
With the positive result, acting Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan yesterday ordered the evacuation and closure of the Prisons Administration Building in Port of Spain.
A statement from the Prison Service said the officer recently visited the building and had flu-like symptoms.
The officer was sent for testing and later confirmed to be positive for the virus, the release stated.
It added that contact tracing has been initiated and guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health are being adhered to.
“The Prisons Administration Building will remain closed until the completion of the sanitisation process. Staff attached to the Administration Building are advised to stay at home until further notice, as the matter now has the attention of authorities who are taking the necessary action in light of the situation,” it stated.
Further to that, the commissioner is urging any officer who may have flu-like symptoms to not report for duty, but instead inform a supervisor by phone and seek medical attention.
“He has indicated that the responsibility lies with everyone to exercise caution and not put others at risk.
“To date, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service has maintained a Covid-19-free environment as a stringent policy was prepared and adopted from the onset of the pandemic. It will continue to adhere to these measures to keep all persons safe and secure,” the release stated.