Mass testing stepped up after huge coronavirus outbreak at Doncaster jail

Bosses at HMP Moorland say they are working ‘hard’ to manage the outbreak at the jail – which comes just days after nearby HMP Lindholme also reported that dozens of prisoners and staff had contracted Covid-19.

A jail spokesman said: “We continue to work hard to manage our Covid-19 outbreak.

"Mass testing of men on a number of Residential Units has continued, which may identify more asymptomatic cases and influence the overall case rate in the local area.

“This approach of mass testing will hopefully help us to contain the virus, with rates hopefully falling as a result.

“We continue to offer regular testing to all our staff – up to 3 times a week - to further prevent the spread of the virus.”

Last week, bosses at the prison announced that there were 80 confirmed cases at the Category C jail which has capacity for nearly 1,000 inmates.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that a prison officer at nearby HMP Lindholme had died amid a huge coronavirus outbreak at the jail.

A brief statement said: “A staff member at HMP Lindholme sadly passed away on 4 February 2021, and our deepest sympathies are with his loved ones and colleagues at this difficult time.”

In a series of tweets earlier this month, Lindholme’s official Twitter account said there had been 90 Covid cases at the jail in recent weeks, but the figure had now halved.