THREE members of staff of the South Camp Adult Correctional facility in the Corporate Area, where Stephanie Christie, alias Mumma — the lone female defendant in the ongoing trial of 28 alleged members of the Klansman Gang is being held — have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

Prison authorities on Wednesday indicated that Christie, who was reportedly exposed to the individuals, had also tested positive for the virus resulting in trial judge, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes adjourning the proceedings until June 13. Christie, the Jamaica Observer understands, is being kept in isolation which is the standard response of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to such matters.

The trial, which began in September of last year, has been hit with numerous delays and has been adjourned a minimum four times on account of defendants testing positive for COVID-19 after outbreaks at the facilities where they are being held. The first of those adjournments was as early as October, mere weeks into the beginning of the trial when two accused tested positive.

In the meantime, the DCS is indicating that it has an overall 16 active cases, 13 of which are inmates.

According to a COVID-19 dashboard for the DCS, which was last updated on Wednesday, a total 2,318 of inmates/wards have been tested, of which 1,634 returned negative.

In a breakdown of the active positive cases among the inmate population per institution, it said there are four active cases at the Tower Street Adult Correctional facility in Kingston, seven at the Rio Cobre Juvenile, one at the South Camp Adult Correctional facility and one at the St Catherine adult prison. There have been 13 deaths in the DCS since the pandemic and a total 1,149 positive cases.

In a breakdown of the positive cases among staff per institution, the DCS said those to have tested positive, so far, were only the three at its South Camp adult prison. It said a total 1,143 staff have been tested with 678 receiving negative results, adding that a total 462 staff have recovered.

The DCS announced the resumption of non-contact visits in adult institutions, effective March 28, following the withdrawal of the Disaster Risk Management Act on March 18. In 2020, the department discontinued visits in correctional institutions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus within facilities. The DCS at the time said despite the reduced cases on the island it would maintain strict adherence to all COVID-19 protocols.