NAGPUR: Three of the five inmates of Central Jail, including gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, tested Covid positive for the second time in four days. The five inmates and a jail staffer had tested positive for the first time on February 9.
As per the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s list, three prisoners, including Gawli (68), tested positive on Saturday also.
As per guidelines issued by the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a single RT-PCR positive test is to be considered confirmatory without any repeat testing. “No re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a Covid-19 facility after clinical recovery or for transfer from a Covid area/facility to a non-Covid area/facility,” said an official.
Chief medical officer of Central Jail Dr SD Chaudhari told TOI, “I have no idea why the second test was done on the inmates. We had taken them for diagnosis at GMCH a couple of days ago. They might have asked for re-test and accordingly it was conducted at GMCH.”
On Maoist ideologue and former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba’s health, Dr Chaudhari said there was no need for hospitalization as his HRCT score was five in the chest scan a day ago. He is being treated in the cell itself.”
A guard from high security ‘anda cell’ of the prison was found Covid positive, hence 25 inmates were tested and results of five, including Gawli, came positive on February 9. The results of another five, including Saibaba, came positive on February 12. Five staffers were also tested of which two were found Covid positive.
Earlier, a jailer had tested positive. Thus, Central Jail has reported 13 new Covid cases as of now after a lull.
Dr Chaudhari said, “Health of all 10 prisoners is good and all are undergoing treatment in separate cells as the infection levels are milder.”
This is second time when pandemic has hit the Central Jail, situated in Ajni. In June and July, over 300 inmates had tested positive.
Dr Chaudhari said, “All precautions for prevention of spread of the infection are being taken. We have conducted tests on inmates as well as staffers immediately after seeing symptoms. Early testing and treatment is very important, which we are ensuring.”
He also said it is not only Central Jail, but new cases are being reported from across the city and other places.