A WALLINGFORD man extradited from Thailand on drugs charges is believed to be at the centre of Bullingdon's suspected coronavirus outbreak.

The prison, which is near Bicester, has been on lockdown since Monday.

Mark Rumble, 31, arrived back in the UK on January 27 after being extradited from Thailand to face charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Multiple reports state the Thai Department of Correction has now confirmed  Rumble was the prisoner involved. 

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So far in Thailand there have been 33 confirmed cases of the virus, withthe country the second after China to declare infections.

Mr Rumble reportedly collapsed in his cell at HMP Bullingdon on Monday.

A second inmate developed flu-like symptoms and a third was also being tested for the illness. 

The Oxford Mail has it on good authority that prisoners were told about the tests yesterday.

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Public Health England, however, said it could not comment on the claims. 

HMP Bullingdon has also not yet responded to requests for comment.

Care UK, which runs Bullingdon's healthcare, similarly declined to comment and referred the Mail to Public Health England. 

 

Charlotte Yeates claims she was told yesterday morning via a prisoner that inmates at Bullingdon were being tested.

She added that one of the prison's wings had been closed.

The Bangkok Post reported in November Rumble had been arrested by Thailand's police in Pattaya over drugs charges.