Covid Scotland: Nearly 100 inmates infected with coronavirus amid outbreak at Perth prison

An outbreak of coronavirus has hit a Scottish prison, with nearly 100 inmates affected so far.

Some 97 prisoners at HMP Perth tested positive for Covid-19 - forcing everyone living there to isolate while mass testing gets under way, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said.

Inmates will not have access to courts, lawyers, family visits and cannot use the gym, but will be allowed fresh air and showers as well as use of mobile phones, the SPS added.

The service said a “significant number” of affected prisoners did not have symptoms.

HMP Perth holds an average of 678 prisoners per day, including prisoners serving life sentences and sex criminals, said the SPS.

A spokesman said a “significant number” of the positive cases at HMP Perth were asymptomatic.

“As a precautionary measure, all individuals living in HMP Perth are currently isolating whilst mass testing is carried out.”

Some 97 prisoners at HMP Perth tested positive for the virus forcing everyone living there to isolate while mass testing gets under way.

A further update will be provided on Monday, the spokesman added.

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