Test arrested persons for Covid before jailing them, says Director General of Health Services

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, May 10

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed all civil surgeons across the state to ensure testing of all arrested persons for Covid before putting them into jails and to keep them in isolation at designated place in the jail concerned till their report comes out. The direction has been issued in order to check the spread of Covid pandemic in jails.

“Complying with the directives, we have, with immediate effect, started doing Covid test of all of those arrested by the police. The test is done at a time when the police bring the accused to the hospital for medical examination before sending him/her to jail,” said Rohtak Civil Surgeon Anil Birla. Birla maintained besides them, prison staff returning from leave is also being tested for Covid as precautionary measures.

On the other hand, the Jhajjar district health authorities have directed Medical Officer (MO) posted at dispensary in District Jail Dulina to prepare isolation room/ ward in the jail immediately so that new jail inmates could be tested for Covid and kept there under observation till their report comes out.

“The MO has also been asked to carry out screening of all jail prisoners and employees as early as possible and submit his report within three days. A dental surgeon has been deputed at the dispensary for sample collection, packaging and transportation to designated lab,” said Jhajjar Civil Surgeon Randeep Singh Poonia. Poonia said they had also decided regular screening of all prisoners and employees to detect the coronavirus infection if any.

Prison staff being tested

• Prison staff returning from leave is also being tested for Covid as precautionary measures
• Before being put into jails, arrested persons to be kept in isolation at designated place in the jail concerned till their report comes out