Trivandrum>> On Wednesday, 59 inmates of Poojapura Central Jail were tested positive for Covid 19. Most of the convict prisoners and under trials lodged in one of the 11 blocks of the central jail, who tested positive, are asymptomatic. The mass reporting of Covid positive cases came after two prisoners, who showed symptoms of fever, tested positive on Monday. The total number of cases in prison is now 61.
Two days ago, the two inmates were taken to Medical college hospital after they developed symptoms of fever. After they turned positive, the prison authorities decided to test remaining inmates in the same block.
Two days ago, the two inmates were taken to Medical college hospital after they developed symptoms of fever. After they turned positive, the prison authorities decided to test remaining inmates in the same block. Following the request of prison authorities, health department conducted tests among 99 inmates and 59 turned out positive on Wednesday. Surprisingly, none of them have any contact with people outside the jail premises as they were all incarcerated before the pandemic.
There are around 970 inmates in the prison. The health department will conduct testing for staff and other inmates in the coming days.
Following the issue at Central prison, Rishiraj Singh, director general of prisons and correctional services, announced that antigen tests would be conducted among all prison inmates in two days.
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