By Jonathan Hicap The number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases among prisoners and employees under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has now reached 194, consisting of 161 prisoners and 33 employees, including six deaths and 11 patients who have recovered. (BuCor / MANILA BULLETIN) As of May 25, there are 82 COVID-19 positive prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa and 79 inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong. Of the 82 positive cases in NBP, 43 are from the medium security compound, 31 from the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC), and eight from the maximum security compound. A total of 71 out of the 82 are confined at the NBP isolation center, also known as “Site Harry,” located in the medium security compound. There are also 33 BuCor employees who tested positive for COVID-19 consisting of 25 from NBP, five from CIW, two from the national headquarters, and one at the NBP isolation area. Six prisoners─three at NBP and three at CIW─have died from the disease while there are eight CIW patients, two CIW employees, and one NBP employee who have recovered. No positive cases have been confirmed to date at BuCor’s five regional prisons. There are also 99 suspect cases and 36 probable cases among prisoners while there are four suspect and 79 probable cases among BuCor employees. A total of 1,500 more COVID-19 rapid test kits for use by prisoners will be delivered to BuCor this week and more are expected in the coming weeks. The Department of Justice (DOJ) will provide laptops, given under the GoJust Program of the European Union, to BuCor for use of prisoners under the E-Dalaw program.