Keonjhar: As many as nine under trial prisoners tested positive for the Covid-19 at Keonjhar district jail on Tuesday.
Jail authorities said covid symptoms developed in one of the inmates a few days ago. After he was found infected with the virus, 30 others who had come in close contact with him underwent RT-PCR test. Out of 30, nine came out positive, they added.
All the infected prisoners have been kept in a separate barrack which has been designated as covid isolation centre.
“One of our inmates had been admitted to District headquarters hospital after he developed covid symptoms. He had tested positive for the Covid-19 there. So, we conducted test of others who had come in contact with him. After the test, others came out positive,” said Amiya Behera, Jailor at Keonjhar jail.
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Behera said that he had spoken to the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) and as per his advice, the infected prisoners are being treated.
“The medical staff asked us to update the health status of the inmates at regular interval. They have assured us to reach the jail immediately if health condition of any one of the infected persons deteriorates,” Behera added.
Earlier, 21 inmates at Udala sub-jail in Mayurbhanj district had tested positive for the contagious disease. Following detection of the virus among the prisoners, jail premises have been sanitized and infected prisoners are being treated under isolation.
“They have been kept under isolation and are being provided with required medical assistance. The condition of all the infected inmates is stable now. If the health condition of any one of them deteriorates, he would be shifted to Covid hospital, said Dr Bankim Prasad Mohanty, who is treating the prisoners at jail.
NAC workers and fire brigades had sanitized the jail premises yesterday.
“We lodge the new prisoner in the jail following appropriate Covid test. Still infection has been reported. We have kept the infected inmates under isolation with providing necessary treatment,” said Dhaneswar Sahoo, Udala jail in-charge