Police fear for remandees’ health

POLICE fear that the 19 people on remand at the police station cell in Kerema, Gulf, will all be infected with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) because they have nowhere else safe to go to.
Kerema police station commander Snr Insp Michael Pakyei said 11 of the 19 had already tested positive.
Police officers were given masks and hand sanitisers by the Gulf Health Authority staff to deal with the outbreak at the station.
“They gave us masks and hand sanitisers to handle the Covid-19 positive remandees,” he said.
“The Covid-19 infections rose from seven last week to 11 on Saturday.
“They are still in the cells because the Covid-19 centre in Kerema Town has not been set up yet.
“We don’t know what to do with the remandees.
“It looks like all will be infected by the end of this week.”
Snr Insp Pakyei said the Covid-19-positive group were kept in one cell inside the police station.
“I told the health authority staff to come and do swab tests on the remaining eight remandees,” he said.
“I’m suspecting that they are infected also.”
Snr Insp Pakyei said they had to close down the police station and release those awaiting court cases on minor offences.
“A fumigation company will come from Port Moresby to fumigate the station before we reopen.
“At the moment, we are operating from a tent (temporary office) outside the station.”