PANJIM: Directorate of Information & Publicity on Tuesday states in a press statement that around 178 staff of Inspector General of Prisons working at Headquarters in Panjim and 148 staff working at Central Jail, Colvale, have been administered COVID-19 vaccine. In the ongoing second wave, the jail has not reported a single COVID-19 case since May 23 while all positive cases have recovered.
“The vaccination drive (first dose) was conducted in two phases, that is, prisoners in the age group of 45 years and above, and prisoners in the age group of 18 to 44 years. Out of 82 prisoners in the age group of 45 years and above, 73 prisoners have been vaccinated; remaining 9 prisoners have refused to get vaccinated,” it said.
Similarly, out of 376 prisoners in the age group 18 to 44 years, 261 prisoners have been vaccinated, whereas, 84 prisoners have refused to get vaccinated. The remaining prisoners will be vaccinated shortly in consultation and coordination with the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa. The Central Jail, Colvale as on June 7, 2021 has 458 prison inmates in total.
The press release also mentions that a 15-bedded Jail Hospital has been equipped with 5 oxygen concentrators and 2 oxygen cylinders to meet any emergency. In anticipation of the outbreak of Covid-19, High Security Block, Auditorium Block and Block no.III are kept ready to use for isolation / quarantine purposes.
