Confirmed novel coronavirus cases reported in Shandong, Zhejiang prisons

A total of 207 people, including seven prison officers, at Rencheng Prison in east China's Shandong Province, have been tested positive for COVID-19, said local officials at a press conference on Friday.

The local authorities have completed nucleic acid tests on all relevant personnel at the prison in Jining City.

According to officials, a prison officer was quarantined in hospital on February 12 after showing cough symptoms. He was diagnosed with the virus the next day.

After receiving the report, the local government immediately closed relevant areas and began screening and quarantine work. 

Eight local officials related to the case have been removed from their positions for dereliction of duty following the virus outbreak at the prison.

A prison in east China's Zhejiang Province has also reported new cases of the novel coronavirus. 

According to local authorities, 34 cases have been reported at Shilifeng Prison in Zhejiang Province so far. The local government said these were imported cases and two prison officials have been removed from their posts.