The novel Coronavirus has entered Taloja Central Prison where, sources said, eight officials have tested positive. Inmates have been dealing with symptoms and have been fearful of contracting the infection.

Highly placed sources revealed that triple murder case convict Vijay Palande and a close friend of Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, Amit Chandole, jailed in connection with a money laundering case, are symptomatic. “A number of prisoners have fallen sick. They have symptoms such as fever and mild cough but they haven’t been tested as the jail superintendent believes that it will create panic. Around eight prison staffers tested positive,” a prison official told mid-day. However, Superintendent Kaustubh Kurlekar said only three staffers are positive.