With 16 fresh Covid-19 cases, Puzhal prison now home to 47 patients

CHENNAI: At least 16 convicts and conservancy workers at the Central Prison, Puzhal, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. Two dormitories in the convicts block were quarantined.


While some staff at the prison demanded that the state health department test all 650 prisoners and about 40 officials, senior officials said only those with symptoms could be tested.

About 31 prisoners at Puzhal had tested positive for the virus on Friday, taking the number of patients at the prison to 47. All of them are part of the 193 contacts tested after three life convicts at the Central Prisons in Cuddalore and Trichy, who had earlier been lodged at Puzhal prison, tested positive for Covid-19. Director general of prisons Sunil Kumar Singh told TOI that swab samples were collected from the 193 contacts of the three convicts and all of them had been quarantined.

After Saturday’s revelations, association block-1in the convicts’ wing was chosen for conversion into quarantine centre for those testing positive, with social distancing norms being followed.

Provided with just 10 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits by the state health department last month, officials have sought at least 100 PPE kits for those visiting the quarantine block. Some officials also expressed concern over the fact that the prisoners in the quarantine block have to use the same washroom as the others and that this could prove a risk for all. They said better isolation facilities should be ensured so that the infection can be contained.