A STAFF member at HMP Isle of Wight has tested positive for Covid-19.

It is not known where or which part of the prisons the person works in but the necessary steps have been taken to self-isolate and those who had been in contact with the person have been told.

A prison service spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice confirmed the case today (Friday) and said: “We have robust and flexible plans in place to keep prisoners, staff and the wider public safe based on the latest advice from Public Health England.”

While a staff member has tested positive, there have been and are no current cases of Covid-19 in prisoners at HMP Isle of Wight across the sites.

On the Island, there have been 557 recorded positive cases of the virus — with 80 positive tests confirmed so far in October by Public Health England.

Data shows more cases have been confirmed in October than the last four months (June, July, August and September) combined.