COVID-19 cases on the rise in local correctional facilities

The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has confirmed five cases of COVID-19 amongst inmates at Collins Bay Institution, part of a dramatic uptick in COVID-19 cases at local correctional facilities.

CSC updated its COVID-19 testing and cases page on its website on the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. That update included the confirmation of five positive cases at Collins Bay Institution, where 137 tests have been administered, according to CSC.

This information comes at the same time a major outbreak has been detected at Joyceville Institution, something CSC has yet to officially confirm with Kingstonist or on its dashboard, despite having stated that communications regarding that situation are expected today.

According to verified sources with inside knowledge of CSC operations, a number of inmates from Joyceville Institution were transferred out of that facility when it became apparent the prison was dealing with an outbreak. Due to a lack of sufficient time for quarantining, it appears cases are beginning to be detected at the secondary institutional locations, including Collins Bay and Warkworth Institutions. Some inmates have been transferred to Millhaven Institution this week as a result, according to those sources.

Kingstonist will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.