23 jail inmates COVID-19 positive in J&K

SRINAGAR — As many as 23 prisoners are COVID-19 positive in Jammu & Kashmir and 219 inmates are under quarantine across prisons of the UT as new prisoners undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and isolation for 14 days.

According to an official handout released by the government, as on date, 4572 inmates are lodged in the 13 jails of J&K.

“Of which, 23 inmates (21 from District Jail Kathua, one from Central Jail Jammu, Kot Bhalwal and one from District Jail Jammu) are COVID-19 positive to whom necessary medical care is being provided,” reads the handout.

It further states, 219 inmates are under quarantine across prisons of J&K as new prisoners undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and quarantine for 14 days.

According to the statement, a day prior to relinquishing charge, V. K. Singh, DGP, Prisons, J&K visited Central Jail Srinagar to resolve last minute issues including a parole case.

“At present, 635 inmates are lodged in the Central Jail Srinagar which included 27 female inmates and there is no COVID positive case in the jail,” the statement reads.

It further states that DG directed the staff for strict adherence to SOPs issued to prevent spread of COVID-19 in jails.