Updated 05:38 IST, August 20th 2020

Peru's prison system enduring the pandemic

The most populated prison in Peru is working to prevent infections caused by the new coronavirus.

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Peru's prison system enduring the pandemic
Peru's prison system enduring the pandemic | Image: self

The most populated prison in Peru is working to prevent infections caused by the new coronavirus.

A prison where a protest demanding sanitary improvements amid the coronavirus pandemic left nine dead and 67 wounded in April, now has inmates who serve as healthcare workers to alert of possible cases of new coronavirus.

These health officers in each of the 24 pavilions of the Lurigancho Prison have digital thermometers and oximeters to check the temperature and oxygen saturation of their companions.

If someone is suspected of having any symptoms, prison doctors are notified.

With 33 dead and 2,500 infected due to the new coronavirus, the Lurigancho authorities learned that they must protect themselves along with the prisoners in the midst of the chaos that exists outside the prison.

Peru has more than 26,000 deaths and half a million confirmed cases of coronavirus.

At the beginning of the pandemic things were very chaotic.

The prison infirmary treated up to 300 patients a day with fever and then many with symptoms of respiratory distress.

In April the prisoners protested by displaying blankets with requests for help to receive better sanitary treatment.

Authorities said that while clashing with guards, nine prisoners were shot dead.

One pavilion is now used as a hospital ward.

Half of the inmates have undergone tests to detect if they have the virus.

Almost all of the 2,500 infected are asymptomatic.

According to official figures, 330 prisoners have died in the 68 prisons of Peru and another 6,600 were infected by the new coronavirus.

Peru has 97,500 inmates.

(Image Credit Pixabay)

Published 05:38 IST, August 20th 2020