New Covid outbreak at third UK immigration removal centre

Confirmed cases at Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, prompt call to release all detained asylum seekers

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A number of Covid-19 outbreaks have been confirmed across the immigration detention estate and asylum seeker accommodation, prompting warnings of a major public health risk and calls to release individuals into the community.

Harmondsworth immigration removal centre (IRC), near Heathrow, the largest of its kind in Europe, is the third such centre to experience an outbreak. It is understood that there are at least two detainees who have tested positive for Covid along with a number of staff.