As many as 34 inmates in an overcrowded juvenile home in Gonda district on Monday tested positive for the coronavirus during a random sampling held two days ago. This was the fifth random checking held in the home since March when the pandemic broke out.
“We collected samples two days ago, and reports found 34 inmates positive. A medical team has rushed to the home to ensure the virus does not spread further,” said Gonda’s acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Devraj. The staff was also tested.
Against the sanctioned strength of 30, the home has 72 inmates and caters to four districts of Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti and Bahraich.
“The inmates, aged between 10 and 18 years, are facing heinous charges of rape and murder. We used to regularly get random corona testing done. The 34 inmates are asymptomatic… and are being shifted to two rooms in the home,” said district probation officer Jaideep Singh, who oversees functioning of juvenile and protection homes.
“In the last four random sampling exercises, no one was found positive. We have yet to find out how inmates got effected with the virus,” said Singh.
As a precaution, the seven employees of the home have been divided into two groups — each working for straight 15 days — he said.
The district administration plans to get all inmates and staff retested.
The home has five rooms, including a godown which was recently turned into a lodging space. An official said the inmates are being provided with healthy meal, kadha and hot water to build their immunity.