13 inmates among 21 test Covid +ve at Naini jail

THE JAIL STAFF, WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE, ARE IN HOME ISOLATION.

PRAYAGRAJ : As many as 21 people, including 13 prisoners, one jailor, one deputy jailor and six constables, have tested positive for Covid at Naini central jail here.

While one serious Covid patient, a prisoner, was admitted to corona ward of SRN hospital, other infected prisoners were kept at Covid care centre set up on the jail premises last year. The jail staff, who have tested positive, are in home isolation.

Jail officials claimed that they had been trying to get help from authorities concerned for last three days and had also forwarded letters informing them of the present situation but were yet to receive any response.

Confirming this, senior jail superintendent PN Pandey said unlike last year there was no arrangements of additional team of doctors and paramedical staff for treatment and care of inmates and jail staff. Repeated attempts to contact chief medical officer Dr Prabhakar Rai for his views on the issue did not fructify.

“As more cases may surface at the jail in the coming days, an additional team of doctors and medical staff will be needed there. The issue has been taken up with senior jail officials. The jail hospital is presently equipped with adequate oxygen cylinders along with moderate medicines and equipment needed for the treatment of Covid patients,” Pandey said.

Moreover, he said all necessary precautions were being taken to stop spread of coronavirus on jail premises. Regular tests were being carried out and those showing Covid symptoms were being isolated.