Koraput: Even as COVID-19 infection cases are increasing in Koraput, the deadly virus has made its entry into Koparut circle jail.
In the last four days, 37 COVID-19 positive cases were detected in the jail. The district reported 92 more cases Wednesday, taking the tally to 2077.
The infections continue to rise in various jails in the state despite the fact that the four walls of prisons are considered safer spots because of its isolated environs, free from outside exposure.
Wednesday, five prisoners tested positive for COVID-19 in the circle jail.
Besides, local infection is spreading in Koraput. Of today’s 92 infected cases, 71 had come in contact with some positive cases while 20 are said to be local infections.
23 infected cases were reported from Jeypur municipality, 23 from Koraput municipality, 11 from Sunabeda Municipality and 35 cases from various rural pockets.
To keep the jails free from infections, the authorities have insisted on conducting RT-PCR tests of arrested persons before they are remanded to judicial custody.
It was learnt that over the last four months, 16,789 inmates including 5,231 inmates in Berhampur circle were released from jails across the state on parole to decongest prisons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 17,509 inmates are lodged in the 85 prisons of the state.
Besides, 1,200 inmates have been shifted to other prisons in order to reduce overcrowding.
PNN