COVID-19 outbreaks now reported at 7 federal prisons, more staff than inmates infected

While the new outbreaks have led to dozens of inmates having become infected with COVID-19, the number of cases among prison staff has been much higher.

More federal prisons are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks, with the surge in new infections affecting not only inmates but also a large number of correctional officers and staff.

New outbreaks were reported Friday at four Correctional Service Canada facilities: the Atlantic Institution in New Brunswick; Drumheller in Alberta; Stony Mountain in Manitoba; and the Kent Institution in B.C. Those follow outbreaks earlier this week at three other federal institutions.

While the new outbreaks have led to dozens of inmates having become infected with COVID-19, the number of cases among prison staff has been much higher.

Correctional Services spokeswoman Marie Pier Lecuyer said Friday a total of 248 staff have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, compared with 107 inmates. The previous day, the agency had reported infections in 160 staff members and 88 inmates.

Drumheller alone accounted for 41 of the new staff infections reported Friday, along with 13 inmates.

At the Kent Institution in Agassiz, B.C., 18 staff had tested positive for the virus.

The latest outbreaks, which have also affected the Nova Scotia Institution for Women, the Warkworth Institution in Ontario, and La Mazaca Institution in Quebec, come as Canada faces a surge in new COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

As the number of cases among inmates and staff continues to grow, Lecuyer said Correctional Services is reviewing staff levels at its institutions to make sure there are enough officers to continue operating in a safe manner.