Prisoners and staff at HMP Wealstun Leeds hit by outbreak of Covid as local infection rates rocket

A number of staff and inmates at HMP Wealstun, near Wetherby, have tested positive for the virus.

Although it has not been confirmed how many prisoners and staff have been affected, official Government figures show there were 82 new cases recorded in the local area in the seven days to February 19.

The outbreak has caused the infection rate in Wetherby East and Thorp Arch to spike to 1,166.6 new cases per 100,000 people during this period.

The rate has increased by 485.7 per cent from the previous seven days.

Public Health England said it is working with Leeds City Council to manage the outbreak and reduce the transmission of the infection, preventing it from reaching the wider community.

The high rate of infection in the area has been directly linked to the HMP Wealstun outbreak.

A PHE spokesperson said: “A number of staff and prisoners at HMP Wealstun have tested positive for Covid-19.

"The prison is working closely with Public Health England and the local authority to manage this and reduce transmission of the infection, including ensuring appropriate self-isolation and testing takes place.

“As seen in a number of other areas which have a large organisational setting with linked positive Covid cases, this can cause overall local rates of Covid cases to appear high, rather than this being an issue associated within the wider community itself.

“Public Health England continues to provide support to HMP Wealstun to control and lower the number of Covid cases”.

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