2 more Mumbai cops test positive for COVID-19

After a constable from Juhu police tested positive for coronavirus, a policeman attached to Khar police station in the western suburbs has contracted the infection, police said on Thursday.

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The 28-year-old constable from Khar police station had experienced symptoms of COVID-19 and sought medical help, following which he tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, an official said.

The constable was recuperating at a hospital in Khar, while 12 to 15 personnel who had come in contact with him were directed to get tested, the official said.

"The constable lives at Mahim Police Colony and we have asked other officials to get tested as well," senior inspector Gajanan Kabdule of Khar police station said.

Meanwhile, the constable attached to the Juhu police, who had tested positive on Wednesday, is currently undergoing treatment at a civic-run hospital.

Similarly, a sub-inspector of Kurar police station had tested positive for the infection 10 days ago and other officials who had come in contact with him were sent for testing.

At least 23 police personnel have tested positive for coronavirus infection in Maharashta so far, an official said.

Fifteen of these personnel are based in Mumbai, he said.

Police are among the 'frontline' workers in the battle against the pandemic, as they are busy enforcing lockdown.

Since March 22, at least seven police officers and 16 constables have been found to have contracted the infection, the official said.

All of them are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the state, and their condition was stable, he added.

The police in every district have been provided with mobile disinfection vans, he informed.

The police in the state have also faced attacks while enforcing lockdown. As many as 97 police pesonnel were attacked by anti-social elements, and 162 persons have been arrested in these cases, the official said.

For defiance of restrictions of movement during lockdown, 46,671 cases have been registered under section 188 of IPC (disobedience to order of public servant) and 9,155 persons arrested in the state.

A total of 1,019 offences of illegal transportation of people has been registered, and 31,296 vehicles seized .

Around Rs 1.70 crore in fine was collected from the vehicle owners for violating prohibitory orders, the official said.