'Vulnerable' Ford Prison inmate 'tests positive for coronavirus'

An inmate at Ford Prison has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

According to various sources, an inmate in a block for vulnerable prisoners, such as the elderly, has been diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning (April 14) when their test results came back.

The block was put into quarantine from the rest of the prison population on Thursday when the case was first suspected and will be in place for two weeks from that date.

A previous suspected case at the prison came back negative.

Ford PrisonFord Prison
Ford Prison
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

According to multiple sources, officers have verbally informed all inmates at the prison today.

The open prison in Ford Road, Ford, houses 500 low-risk offenders - but has been closed since the nationwide lockdown was announced by the Government.

When asked to confirm this, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said it could not confirm individual cases but pointed to the figures released at 5pm yesterday (Monday, April 13).

These said 207 prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 across 57 prisons, 62 prison staff have tested positive for COVID-19 across 28 prisons and 5 Prisoner Escort and Custody Services staff have tested positive for COVID-19.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.