Siraha district prison alone reports 86 COVID-19 cases
KATHMANDU, Sept 12: As many as 231 inmates across the country have contracted novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
They were tested positive for the COVID-19 when 800 swab samples tested for the disease amid heightened concerns that most prisons in the country had already a large number of COVID-19 infected inmates.
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Of those tested positive for the virus, 86 prisoners have already recovered successfully, while137 others are currently undergoing treatment, according to the Department of Prison Management.
Five prisoners at the Central Jail in Sundhara succumbed to the virus, said the Department's Information Officer Debarshi Sapkota.
Of the total 71 prisons across the country, 11 have reported cases of COVID-19 infection. Among them, Siraha district prison has witnessed the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Of the 110 prisoners whose swab samples were tested, 86 were found to have been infected with the virus.
Similarly, Sunsari district prison has reported 11 COVID-19 cases, while the number of those tested positive for the virus at the central prison in Sundhara is 65. Two inmates in Lalitpur district also reported COVID-19 cases. This was confirmed after swabs were collected from among 108 inmates in Lalitpur prison for COVID-19 test.
In the wake of a sharp rise in the cases of COVID-19, the Supreme Court recently directed the authorities concerned to provide treatment for the infected inmates and release those at high risk of the virus as per the existing laws. The apex court also asked the government to reduce the jail term depending on the nature of the crimes committed.
Officials at the Home Ministry said they have already started collecting details of the inmates across the country following the apex court order. Preparations are underway to submit a detailed report after completing due process of the government.
