Amid the lockdown and restrictions that have been imposed in Tamil Nadu to stem the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Chennai city police department had confirmed that at least 25 police personnel attached to the city police have been tested positive for the virus. 

This count was as of Sunday and city police commissioner Viswanathan issued the conformity that a total of 5000 police personnel have been tested for the virus in the city so far. According to the reports, most of the police personnel who were tested positive fall below the rank of inspector and they had been patrolling across the city to tight the security measures and surveillance as the government has imposed a curfew under section 144.

Five personnel were tested positive on Saturday including two women officials who have been admitted to the Stanley hospital and Omandurar Government Hospital. Of these two women officials, one is a constable and she was infected to the virus after coming in direct contact with the 55-year-old sub-inspector who was tested positive for the pandemic on April 30.

The family members and the colleagues of the affected police personnel have been kept under watch to contain further spread. The police station in Nungambakkam was isolated last week after two of its police personnel tested positive and they have been admitted to the special ward in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. 

In line with the law and order officials, two officers who belong to the intelligence unit had tested positive for the virus following which the state intelligence office had shut down temporarily and the office premises was disinfected. On Monday, one of the Assistant Commissioners of the Chennai police was tested positive for the virus. The reports stated that the Assistant commissioner was deputed to monitor the law and order situation in Koyambedu, which has emerged as the new epicenter for the virus. 

The city police department has asserted that adequate precautions and preventive measures are being followed by the officials due to which the numbers remain low, despite the active presence and on-ground engagement of the police officials across the city.

Also read: How did Chennai's Koyambedu market emerge as the new COVID-19 epicenter?