Police testing starts again, 12 infected

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 17

The Ludhiana police today again started Covid testing for their staff. This will be the second time that the entire force of the Ludhiana Commissionerate will undergo Covid testing.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) J Elanchezhian told The Tribune that a van of the Health Department had been stationed at the Police Lines where daily testing would be conducted.

“On Day 1, the samples of 300 police personnel were taken, of which 12 tested positive for the virus. Immediate medical help has been extended to the infected policemen and depending upon the symptoms, they have been placed under quarantine, either at their homes or at various health facilities for Covid care,” said Elanchezhian.

The Joint CP said the commissionerate had around 5,000 policemen and all of them, including senior police officials, would undergo testing.

“Although the entire force was already tested for the virus in the first phase, in the second phase, we want to ensure that they remain safe. If anyone is found infected, he or she must get early treatment,” he said.

In Phase I of testing, more than 330 policemen tested positive, of which 283 were cured. Two policemen, including ACP Anil Kohli, succumbed to the virus. A Covid warrior, Kohli is supposed to have procured the infection while on duty at a sabzi mandi in Ludhiana. More than 45 policemen are still undergoing treatment for Covid.