Five COVID-19 positive prisoners confirmed at Albany Regional Prison

The number of confirmed COVID-19 positive prisoners at Albany Regional Prison rose to five on Monday. A spokesman for the Department of Justice on Monday confirmed five inmates and one staff member at Albany Regional Prison had tested positive for COVID-19 as of 1pm. It comes after the DOJ last Wednesday confirmed one prisoner had tested positive for COVID-19 at Albany Regional Prison amid cases at six other WA custodial facilities. “The COVID-19 positive prisoners, and any others deemed close contacts, are being isolated away from the rest of the prison population, in line with health directions and COVID-19 prison protocols,” a DOJ spokesman said on Monday. “The staff member is isolating at home, in line with health advice. “The prison is well-prepared to deal with this situation. “All staff in correctional facilities are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having the booster shot when eligible.” As of Sunday, 86.4 per cent of WA prisoners and detainees had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination and 71.8 per cent had received two COVID-19 vaccinations.