Two inmates, 18 staff at B.C. prison test positive for COVID

Two inmates and 18 employees at a maximum-security prison in B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19.

Correctional Services of Canada says it is monitoring the situation at Kent Institution “closely.”

COVID testing is offered to inmates and staff, corrections said. Employees must take a rapid test and provide a negative test result before entering the site.

All staff and inmates at the Kent Institution, located west of Agassiz, are equipped with masks and all visitors are actively screened, corrections said in a release.

1:25 Vancouver’s penthouse COVID-19 scofflaw goes to jail

In-person visits are currently suspended at the facility.

Vaccines are offered to all inmates.

To date, 67.2 per cent of inmates at Kent are fully vaccinated, and 72.6 per cent have received at least one dose.