A total of five inmates have died of Covid-19 across Cambodia to date, including the latest case recorded early this week in Banteay Meanchey provincial prison, where the first case was reported early this month.

Nuth Savna, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Prisons (GDP), told The Post on July 21 that the deceased had pre-existing medical conditions.

“They are all very old, physically weak and had severe illness,” he said.

Savna noted that the current Covid-19 situation is under control, contrary to claims on social media of outbreaks in prisons.

He said specialist officials in collaboration with medical personnel have been treating Covid-19 patients in prisons, while those in critical conditions have been admitted to hospitals in accordance with the national policy.

According to Savna, an outbreak of Covid-19 in Banteay Meanchey provincial prison occurred two weeks ago. The prison currently has 1,633 inmates, including 97 women.

He said GDP has tried to control the situation by separating places for Covid-19 positive inmates, those who are suspected of having contracted the virus and those who have tested negative.

He also noted that 20,000 out of the 36,000 inmates nationwide have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and that GDP is urging provincial prisons to submit their requests to the provincial administrations to get all inmates vaccinated.