A prisoner has tested positive for coronavirus in the first confirmed case of an inmate contracting the disease in the UK.
The man was behind bars at HMP Manchester, also known as Strangeways, and is currently being treated in hospital.
There are 13 inmates and four members of staff now in isolation, however no other prisoners or wardens have yet tested positive.
There is a confirmed case of #coronavirus in @HmpManchester.
— HMPPS (@hmpps) March 18, 2020
No other prison staff or prisoners have tested positive & we are following PHE guidance to minimise the risk of further infection.
The prison remains open for visits.
More here: https://t.co/U42jyS6LQr
BREAKING: A prisoner at HMP Manchester has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in hospital - says @MoJGovUK No other prison staff or prisoners have tested positive but 13 prisoners and four members of staff were put into isolation as a precaution.
— Danny Shaw (@DannyShawBBC) March 18, 2020
No further details about the prisoner have been released.
Bosses at the prison say hygiene is being prioritised, but that they were striving to 'ensure a normal regime for as long as possible' during the outbreak.
Visits are going ahead as normal. More to follow.
