PANJIM: As many as 270 inmates at Colvale Central Jail on Monday, have undergone testing for COVID-19 after cases sprung up in the jail premises.
Ten inmates and around seven staff tested positive in the last few days triggering a panic situation. While some staff recovered with one – in home isolation – losing battle to the virus, three inmates also recovered on Monday, (May 10).
An official said out of 539 inmates, 270 lodged in different cells in the vast premises have given their samples for testing as the drive will continue tomorrow.
In a report to the Under Secretary (Home), the Inspectorate of Prisons has assured that all the safety protocols are followed to ensure there is no outbreak of COVID-19 in the jail.
The prisons authority is also in the process of procuring oxygen cylinders and in anticipation of large outbreak of COVID-19 cases, arrangements are made to isolate the infected prisoners in Block III, located on the ground floor of the jail. The area has a capacity to house 107 inmates.
“Central Jail, Colvale is giving High Security Block, which has eight individual cells with a capacity of housing 19 inmates and these cells are presently used to house infected prisoners. So also, Central Jail Colvale is having Quarantine Block with 14 individual cells with a capacity of accommodating 42 prisoners. In case, the situation gets worse, these facilities will be utilised to isolate the infected inmates,” read the report submitted by IGP Srinet Kothwale to the Home Department on May 7.
The arrangement also includes using Auditorium Block having capacity of 200 prisoners either for isolation or COVID-19 ward, depending on the requirement.
The authority is also in the process of taking up vaccination drive for the prisoners above the age of 45 years, in consultation with the Directorate of Health Services, shortly.
Around 70 prisoners fall in this age category.
