Coronasmitta at Saltviksanstalten

It was during the past week that it was found that one of the inmates at the Saltvik facility was infected by the corona virus, SVT experiences.

The Prison Service's management refers to confidentiality and thus extends to confirming that a noted case of covid-19 exists within the authority's north region.

- In the Stockholm region we have had five cases, two of which have now recovered, says Jörgen From Nordin.

When was the first case found?

- A couple of weeks ago.

How many have shown symptoms?

- More than 30 of our around 7,000 inmates at detention centers and detainees show symptoms. These may be common colds, but we test them as possible. Absence due to sickness among staff is stable and has fallen somewhat over the past two weeks, and is now about nine percent overall.

How do you handle the situation?

- We follow the recommendations of the authorities. The infected have been isolated in their rooms. We think this has been the right strategy so far. We do not see any major spread on our units yet which is of course positive, where we have found infection has not spread so far either, but rather has declined, says Jörgen From Nordin.

- Otherwise, we have for some time stopped for both visits and permits for our inmates so far, a decision that we will now review monthly. What we have done to compensate the inmates is that they can call their relatives for free.

The message about coronas infection at the prison institutions has led to fears and concerns among some of the inmates.

- My son is on Saltvik and he is terrified of what might happen now, says a man who contacts SVT Västernorrland in the case.

Jörgen From Nordin does not say that he knows of any major corona concern among prison inmates and the detention center.

- But what we do is provide continuous and updated information about the situation. It is important to protect both staff and inmates who are in different national groups for the corona virus, says Jörgen From Nordin.