Doncaster prisoner contracts coronavirus behind bars as UK death toll rises by 684
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The inmate at HMP Doncaster – known locally as Marshgate and run by private firm Serco – is being kept isolated from other prisoners in his cell.
Two members of staff at the prison have also tested positive for Covid-19 and are isolating at home.
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Hide AdJohn Hewitson, Serco Contract Director at HMP Doncaster, said: “Our staff are doing an amazing job and working extremely hard to keep everyone safe. They are hidden heroes and I am proud of all of them.
“There has been one prisoner with confirmed Covid-19. He has been isolated in his cell and is being cared for by Care UK, our healthcare partner.
“There are also two members of staff who have been confirmed positive with Covid-19 and they are self-isolating at home in line with Public Health England guidance.
“We have temporarily paused the usual regime in prisons so we can implement the government’s measures to encourage the public to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
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Hide Ad“This is to ensure prisons are complying with social distancing rules and to protect staff and prisoners.”
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Three prisoners have died so far after contracting coronavirus – two at HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire and one at HMP Manchester.
As of yesterday there were 602 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sheffield and there are 134 confirmed cases in Barnsley, 129 in Rotherham, and 95 in Doncaster.
In Sheffield, 31 people have died after contracting the virus.