The Northern Ireland Prison Service has confirmed the first positive case of Covid-19 in the female prisoner population.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has confirmed the first positive case of Covid-19 in the female prisoner population.
A spokesperson said: “A female in our care at Hydebank has tested positive for Covid-19. She is being cared for by our staff and colleagues from the South Eastern Trust and her family has been informed.
“This is the first positive test of a female prisoner in Northern Ireland and only the third prisoner who wasn’t a new committal to test positive since the outbreak of the pandemic.
“The Prison Service will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone in our prisons during these challenging times.”
Notes to editors:
The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.
During office hours, media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email at: press.office@justice-ni.gov.uk.
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