Mass testing drive at Birsa jail begins, vaccine drive for 45+ soon

RANCHI: Authorities of the Birsa Munda Central Jail have begun mass testing of prisoners and staff to prevent and check an outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic on their premises. So far, 12 prisoners were found infected and have recovered.
Jail superintendent Hamid Akhtar said, “Our administration has taken a host of measures, including testing of all prisoners, at regular intervals. Our staff have been trained for drive by the district administration.”
Akhtar all prisoners in the jail campus have undergone testing at least thrice since the outbreak of the infection in the state.
Despite the precautionary measures, 12 prisoners were found positive but all of them have recovered. One of them was a person weighing 130kg with several co-morbid diseases but he recovered during treatment inside the jail.
The jail administration also said it is mandatory for all accused persons coming from outside to have a Covid-negative report. After entering the jail, they were kept in isolation for 15 days in special cells before allowing them to mix with other prisoners.
Besides, the movement of prisoners outside the jail premises for court proceedings has been stopped. The physical meeting of prisoners with relatives has also been restricted and the only way remaining means for them to talk to their kin is through the telephone.
The administration is also vigilant against the spread of infection among the prisoners from the jail staff. The personnel posted inside are not deployed outside and vice versa. Moreover, the jail staff have been asked not to venture out of the premises and remain in their barracks. Special arrangement for supplies of essential items, including food, are being made for the staff.
Meanwhile, the vaccination drive is also continuing on the jail campus with the help of its trained paramedical staff. All prisoners above the age of 60 have been covered under the programme. The vaccination of 45 and above prisoners will begin soon.