3 Bhagalpur jail inmates found Covid +ve, two die

BHAGALPUR: A 33-year-old undertrial prisoner and one 71-year-old convict of Special Central Jail, Bhagalpur, who died on Thursday at Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH) here, were found Covid-19 positive.
Jail superintendent Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary said , “The microbiological tests of both the deceased prisoners were done after the hospital doctors suggested to get it done.They were found positive.”
Recently, another 80-year old convict, who was admitted at JLNMCH after he fell ill, was found Covid positive. The condition of the old man is stated to be critical. Death of the 33-year old undertrial was reported on July 14, whereas the 71-year-old convict died on July 15. The 80-year-old, who fell ill in the jail, was admitted at JLNMCH on July 15.
All the three Covid cases which includes two deceased and one undergoing treatment were inmates of Special Central Jail, Bhagalpur, which has 1,037 male prisoners— both undertrial and convicts- against a total capacity of 3,288.
On surfacing of Covid cases in the prison, the jail administration has undertaken massive sanitization of the jail wards, besides sending 12 jail inmates to 14 days quarantine inside a special ward of the jail. Doctors and paramedical staff at the jail hospital and others are also being kept under close watch ever since reports about Covid positive cases among the jail inmates surfaced.
“Standard procedure for sanitization of the jail wards and premises as per Covid-19 protocol is being made,” the jail superintendent said.
Expressing surprise as to how the prisoners got infected despite strictly following the prison rules and covid protocols, the jail superintendent said, “A detailed inquiry is being done on this matter.”