As many as 75 persons including 71 inmates and four staff in Gunupur Sub-Jail in Rayagada district have tested positive for Covid-19 positive, said reports on Wednesday.
As per reports, a medical team has started treatment of the affected prisoners and jail staff.
"All the positives are asymptomatic and stable now. They have been kept in isolation in the jail. However, if any medical emergency arises, they will be immediately shifted to the nearby designated Covid hospital," informed Ramesh Sahu, a doctor at Gunupur Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH).
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The swab samples of remaining prisoners and employees of the jail have been collected and sent for Covid-19 testing, added reports.
On the other hand, the Gunupur Sub-Jail authorities said that the cells and premises of the jail have been sanitized after the prisoners and staff were found infected with coronavirus infection.
Earlier on May 16, an under trial prisoner (UTP) lodged at Jharpada jail in Bhubaneswar succumbed to Covid-19 while undergoing treatment in Cuttack.
A data released by the State Prison Headquarters last week claimed that as many as 816 prisoners have been tested positive for Covid-19 in the State during the month of May 2021.
While 420 prisoners have recovered from the viral disease, others are under treatment as per the protocols of the Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department. Till May 26, 658 prisoners have been shifted from over-congested jails with permission of trial courts, the data revealed.
On the other hand, keeping in view the current Covid-19 situation in jails and preparations for combating infections, the Director General of Prisons and Directorate of Correctional Services (DCS), Odisha have decided to take a slew of measures including appointment of a nodal officer for all prisons.
The medical officer of Circle Jail, Cuttack at Choudwar was appointed as Nodal Officer to guide other jail superintendents and medical officers of all jails for preventive treatment as well as treatment of Covid-19 infected inmates.