An unconfirmed number of people at a prison have recently tested positive for coronavirus, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service has confirmed to the Observer that routine testing at The Mount prison in Bovingdon uncovered a "number of positive tests".

The borough of Dacorum recorded an unusually high 222 cases when Saturday’s coronavirus dashboard figures were released – and a map showed a sudden jump of more than 100 cases in the Bovingdon & Chipperfield area.

The Prison Service has not confirmed how many people at the male Category C prison tested positive for Covid, but analysis of government data suggests it is likely to have been a substantial amount - potentially up to 100 cases - which were mostly identified on December 19.

Watford Observer:

A spokesperson said: "Testing at HMP Mount has led to a number of coronavirus cases being identified but robust safeguards are in place to reduce the spread of the virus."

The Prison Service has stressed there is "absolutely no evidence to suggest outbreaks in prisons have driven a significant increase in cases in the wider community".

While there are likely to be some existing cases within the wider community, not linked to the prison, cases at The Mount will inflate Bovingdon, Dacorum’s and Hertfordshire's Covid case rate over the next week or so.

The Prison Service says precautionary measures have been taken at the Mount, in line with public health guidance, and it will continue to "closely monitor the situation".

Testing of prisoners on reception and transfer is also being rolled out across the estate, while visits are currently suspended due to Bovingdon being in Tier 4.

The Prison Service says social distancing is maintained in prisons "as far as possible" and personal protective equipment such as facemasks are worn in high risk areas, with similar requirements for face coverings to be worn by prisoners and visitors in higher risk areas.

Professor Jim McManus, director of public health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "We are seeing a significant increase in the rate of coronavirus infections across Hertfordshire, and can confirm that there has been a significant outbreak with over 100 recent positive cases within The Mount Prison, Bovingdon.

"We continue to work closely with our Public Health and Environmental Health colleagues to identify and manage local outbreaks. The only way we are going to get infection rates down is if we all play our part to prevent the virus spreading.

"This means washing your hands regularly in soap and warm water, keeping your distance from others, wearing a face covering, and isolating and getting tested if you show symptoms."