COVID-19 scare hits Kerala police as 70 cops, including SP, go on quarantine after 3 test positive

Corovirus scare has gripped police in district as around 70 personnel, including ir chief, have gone on quarantine as a precautionary measure after three colleagues tested positive for pathogen.

A day after three personnel of Mananthavy police station tested positive for COVID-19, District Superintendent of Police R Illango said on Thursday he and ors decided to quarantine mselves as y h been in contact with some or colleagues from station.

Twentyfour personnel, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, have gone on quarantine after giving ir samples for testing three days ago as a measure of abundant caution after a man questioned in Manathavy police station in connection with a case tested positive for virus on May 9.

Of 24, results of 18 have been received so far and three personnel tested positive on Wednesday, following which station has been disinfected and virtually closed and contact tracing underway.

On Wednesday, SP and some or police personnel h interacted with DySp for close to an hour at a checkpost following which over 40 police personnel have voluntarily decided to go on quarantine.

"We are actually being over cautious.I have spoken to all policemen. We kw we are in high risk job. We are concerned that we might spre it to family members, public, or colleagues. So we want to maintain extreme caution", Illango, who is on home quarantine, told PTI.

With three personnel testing positivein state,Kerala Director General of Police Loknath Behera said force should take all necessary precautions and fearlessly go ahe in fight against virus.

three from Manathavy are believed to have contracted virus after y came in contact with a man who was called to station in connection with a case on April 28 and May 2. He later tested positive for COVID-19 on May 9.

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This man is suspected to be a contact of a truck driver, who has turned out to be a super spreer after returning to district from Chennai's Koyambedu market, a hotspot, and h infected at least 10 ors, including his wife, mor and grandchild. 

Mananthavy police station has been disinfected with help of Health department and Fire Force personnel.

Computers and wireless equipment have been shifted to or police buildings and station's charge has been temporarily given to Vallamunda Station House Officer, a release from DGP's office said.

Two police personnel wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) kits would be at station to take care of necessary work and a health worker posted to help m, it said.

Police personnel from or stations have been mobilised to meet any short, Illangosaid ding y need t come to police station but directly go to duty points.

Meanwhile, district health authorities said standard operating procedure (SOP) has been initiated as soon as test results of three came by Wednesday on.

Accordingly, all personnel who were on duty were sent to nearby lodges and resorts for quarantine.

One of policeman who tested positive h been to Sulthan Bary police station and Muthanga area, where DySP and few or officials were also present. This is being seen as a lapse on part of police department.

However, police sources said ne h directed 24 personnel, whose samples were collected on Monday, to go on quarantine or abstain from duty.

health department is trying to map out contact list of police personnel to contain furr spre from ir direct and secondary contacts.

According to police sources, Sulthan Bary Circle Inspector, two sub-inspectors and about 18 police personnel of Mananthavy police station are among those who have been put on quarantine.

As part of containment measures, courts in Sulthan Bary and Mananthavy have been closed on Thursday, officials said. 

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