Twenty-five inmates at a Toronto prison test positive for coronavirus

The Solicitor General’s Ministry on Sunday confirmed that more than two dozen inmates at Etobicoke Prison have tested positive for COVID-19.

Eighteen additional infections were reported among inmates at the Toronto South Detention Center on Friday, bringing the total number of active cases to 25.

There were seven cases in jail the day before.

“Those inmates will be treated at points and separated from the rest of the inmates and will receive appropriate medical care. The ministry is working with Toronto Public Health to assist with contact tracing,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Staff and inmates in the same units are being actively tested.”

The ministry did not provide the number of cases among the staff.

Meanwhile, three inmates at the Toronto East Detention Center became infected with the virus.

The ministry said it had made operational changes in all regional correctional facilities over the past few months.

This included screening all newly arrived prisoners with their consent and placing them in a separate area for 14 days away from the general population and providing inmates with masks and personal protective equipment for staff.

Staff and visitors are required to always wear masks and take their temperature. Cleaning at facilities has also increased, the ministry said.