Accused tests positive, 51 Barnala cops quarantined

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Barnala, June 4

The health authorities in Barnala have put 51 policemen of the district under quarantine after a Malerkotla resident, who was arrested three days ago, tested positive for Covid-19. The authorities have started tracing the contacts of the patient.

Sources said those put under quarantine included an SSP, SP, ASP, DSP, CIA incharge and his staff, Mehal Kalan police station SHO and his staff.

“The report of the accused came positive today. Since he has been in custody, we have put 51 cops under quarantine. We have formed special teams for more contact tracing,” said Dr Gurwinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, Barnala. Cops said the accused was arrested three days ago following a joint operation by the CIA and Mehal Kalan cops from Malerkotla.

“He was arrested with 12,500 habit-forming tablets. As many as 51 policemen, who had come in his contact, have been quarantined,” said Sandeep Goel, SSP, Barnala.

Meanwhile, 39 fresh cases were reported in the state today, taking the count to 2,415.

As per the media bulletin, 15 cases were reported from Amritsar, followed by Ludhiana (6), Jalandhar and Pathankot (4 each), Bathinda (3), and Fazilka, Muktsar, Ropar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur (1 each).

In Jalandhar, a pregnant woman was among the four new positive cases. She belongs to Lamma Pind. A 55-year-old from Tagore Nagar and a 29-year-old from Preet Nagar, both having influenza-like symptoms, are among the new patients.

Another pregnant woman tested positive in Malout where the number of patients has increased to three. The health officials have appealed to the residents to strictly follow the government’s guidelines, as the pregnant woman has no travel or contact history.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.