A Covid-19 outbreak has been reported at a detention centre holding Jamaican nationals facing deportation on Wednesday.

There have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on two separate wings of Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, according to campaign group Movement for Justice, who have been in contact with detainees.

In a series of posts on Twitter, the campaign group revealed the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported yesterday which has left detainees “terrified” and questioning whether they will die.

On Twitter Movement for Justice wrote: “Three detainees have now been isolated due to a positive COVID-19 test and a further two detainees have been placed in contact isolation.

“Wings locked down, faxes/emails not being sent and landings are being moved to create more quarantine space.”

Karen Doyle, national organiser at Movement for Justice, told The Voice, those detained suffer from multiple health conditions and some are elderly –which makes them vulnerable to catching COVID-19.

She said: “The majority of the Jamaica 50 detainees include people in their 60s and this puts them more at risk.

“The whole system of mass charter flight deportations is unjust. Those being held are more British than Jamaican, in some cases they have spent their entire lives here but are still facing removal. These deportation flights are unnecessary.”

Ms Doyle said the recent confirmed cases of COVID-19 has caused a lot of fear and chaos at the detention centre near Heathrow Airport.

She has accused the Home Office of putting peoples lives in danger and is urging Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to refuse Wednesday’s charter flight.

Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre was contacted by The Voice, who said there was no one available to comment on the matter.

The Home Office were approached for comment and said the following:

“We work closely with our providers and Public Health England to ensure all medical advice is closely followed and people self-isolate where needed.  All immigration removal centres have dedicated health facilities run by doctors and nurses as well as robust contingency plans in place. 

“There is no coronavirus outbreak at Colnbrook IRC – two residents have tested positive for coronavirus, and are currently isolating”.

“If an individual is believed to have been exposed to Covid-19, they must self-isolate in accordance with the law and government guidelines”.