COVID-19 outbreak growing at EMDC
A COVID-19 outbreak at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC) is prompting calls for more to be done to protect inmates and staff.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit has confirmed that since Jan. 4, 83 inmates and 48 staff have tested positive. As of Friday, 39 inmate cases and seven staff cases remain active.
The growing number of cases is causing concerns, and calls for action to make the jail safer.
Lawyer Kevin Egan, who has represented a number the families of inmates who have died at the facility, isn't surprised by the situation.
"It's kind of inevitable when you have an aged infrastructure like EMDC with a closed ventilation system…two to three to a cell that's designed to hold one person, and have a pandemic with such a contagious disease."
Egan has called the facility a "petri dish" since the pandemic started.
"It's something the government ought to have been aware of and ought to have taken steps to prevent and they haven't done that," he said.
On top of being cut off from family, friends work and other supports, Egan added they shouldn't also have to contend with a dangerous disease.
"It's a shame and it's a disgrace."
He believes at least some cases could have been prevented if the province listened to recommendations to replace the outdated facility.
The health unit continues to monitor the situation.
A statement received by the Ministry of the Solicitor General says, "The ministry is aware that the Middlesex-London Health Unit has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre. Local public health authorities determine case thresholds for a declared institutional outbreak. Each facility has its own pandemic plan in place prepared in consultation with local public health partners."
When it comes to vaccination, the release from the ministry goes on to say, "The ministry has its own supply of COVID-19 vaccines and makes the vaccine available to all eligible inmates on an ongoing basis. Ministry clinical staff have access to inmate vaccination records via the provincial COVAX system."
— With files from CTV News London's Amanda Taccone
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.