Uttar Pradesh: 44 PAC constables test Covid-19 positive after attending passing out parade in Pratapgrah

PRAYAGRAJ: Forty four constables who attended a passing out parade in July at Reserve Police Lines in Pratapgarh district tested positive for novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on Thursday evening. The passing out parade was organised for the newly recruited constables on July 30 who completed their training at the Recruitment Training Centre at Reserve Police Lines.
The samples of 199 constables who participated in the passing out parade were collected and tested at a special Covid camp organised at Reserve Police Lines in Pratapgarh district on Thursday.
SP (Pratapgarh) Abhishek Singh said, “The newly recruited PAC constables were asked to stay back after the passing out parade so that they could be tested for Covid-19 before being deployed for their postings.”
The SP said that the samples of 199 constables were collected. “Of these, 44 were found infected through an antigen rapid test,” he added.
Apart from the constables, Singh’s driver and gunner were also diagnosed with the infection.
A senior police official said, “ During the testing camp, 63 persons including 44 constables tested positive for Covid-19 in Pratapgarh district on Thursday.”
“The department has launched an awareness campaign for policemen posted in different wings, police outposts and thanas. We are appealing to them to take all precautions, wear masks, use sanitizers and follow social distancing norms.”