36 jail inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 shifted to government quarantine centre in Gurugram

Sanjay Yadav
Gurugarm, September 3

In what has brought the health authorities on its toes, 36 jail inmates who tested positive for COVID-19 have been shifted to health department’s institutional quarantine rather than creation of a facility inside the jail.

This shifting has left the authorities taxed not just with patient care but also with the responsibility of their security against any attempts to flee.

The Bhondsi jail of Gurugram emerged as a Covid hub yesterday when 18 out 80 of inmates tested positive.

Today again 18 more inmates were found positive. Rather than isolating them in the jail premises, the authorities shifted them to a government isolation centre in Sector 9A.

The centre now has staff deputed to take care of sanitation, food and medical surveillance of the inmates in addition to security provided by police.

“The Covid spread in the jail is surely a matter of concern hinting at lapses in distancing and usage of masks. Initially two inmates had tested positive and when went on to trace contacts, all 36 inmates had tested positive in last two days. They should have been quarantined in jail but have been shifted here,” said a senior health official.

Meanwhile, 37 NSG commandos including a doctor have tested positive in the last two days. All the commandos are in home isolation inside the NSG premises.

As per the guidelines, a special quarantine centre was suggested in Faridabad for jail inmates but they were shifted in health department quarantine centre

“We are focused on contact tracing of these inmates. They must be quarantined inside the jail but we are waiting for the government instructions and police are also watching them in our quarantine centre,” said civil surgeon Dr Virender Yadav.

Despite several attempts jail superintendent Harender Singh could not be contacted.