Nearly 100 prisoners test positive for Covid at HMP Perth

Nearly 100 prisoners have tested positive for coronavirus at a Scottish prison.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) confirmed a total of 97 positive cases for the virus at HMP Perth, with all individuals living in the prison now having to isolate whilst mass testing is carried out.

It means that prisoners at the facility will not have access to courts or agents visits, family visits or the gymnasium.

They will, however, still have access to open air and showers, their mobile phones and the hall phones, the SPS confirmed.

The SPS also said that a “significant number” of the cases at the prison, which can house more than 650 prisoners, are asymptomatic.

In a statement, the agency said: “We are currently managing an outbreak in HMP Perth.

“There are currently 97 confirmed cases of Covid amongst those in our care at HMP Perth. A significant number of these individuals are asymptomatic positives.

“As a precautionary measure, all individuals living in HMP Perth are currently isolating whilst mass testing is carried out.

“This means that they will not have access to courts or agents visits, family visits or the gymnasium. Individuals will have access to open air and showers, as well as their mobile phones and the hall phones.

“We continue to work closely with Public Health colleagues in managing these cases. A further update will be provided on Monday.”