Rajahmundry, Sep 15 (IANS): As many as 300 inmates, lodged in the Rajahmundry central prison in East Godavari district, have recovered from coronavirus.

"Prisoners numbering up to 300 have recovered from coronavirus," Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Coastal Andhra Range, I. Srinivasa Rao told IANS.

When 1,700 prisoners were tested for the virus, 300 emerged positive.

As the government has instructed that intensive care be taken of positive inmates, the central prison arranged a special barrack for these 300 inmates.

They were given a special diet and regular medical check ups, including monitoring their comorbidities such as diabetes, blood pressure and others.

Following the special care, all 300 inmates recovered from the virus.

"We have successfully tackled Covid situation in coastal Andhra Pradesh jails," said Rao.

In addition to the Rajahmundry jail, the police department has also made several arrangements in other jails, such as creating Covid special jails in all the districts, which contributed to the prevention of the virus spread.

Asymptomatic inmates were quarantined within the jail blocks and the respective District Medical and Health Officers (DM & HO) assigned special doctors to treat them.

Only inmates in a serious condition were shifted to Covid centres for better treatment.

In case of sub-jails, all positive patients were shifted to Covid centres.

As part of a nutritious diet for the prisoners, jail officials provided them with eggs, milk and dry fruits, including counselling the inmates to overcome any fears they may have.

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Mohammed Ahsan Reza, and other officials regularly visited jails in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and other sub jails to monitor and motivate the prisoners not to panic.

Established in 1864, Rajahmundry central prison is the oldest one in the southern state.