For the first time, Turkey confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in prisons.

Seventeen cases of the novel coronavirus were found in open prisons in Turkey and three inmates have died of Covid-19, Justice Minister Abdlhamit Gül announced today (April 13).

"Seventeen convicts in five open penal institutions were diagnosed with Covid-19. Three convicts lost their lives during treatment," Gül said in a press conference.

He added that there were no confirmed cases in closed prisons.

"Of the 14 convicts still being treated in hospitals, 13 are in good health and one convict with a chronic disease is in intensive care," Gül noted.

He also said 14 judges and prosecutors, 32 courthouse staff, 79 of prisons and 34 forensic medicine professionals tested positive for Covid-19.

As of Sunday (April 12), Turkey reported an overall death toll of 1,198. Confirming its first case on March 11, the country has nearly 57 thousand confirmed cases.