Policemen demand health package, safety gear.

Byline: Imran Gabol

LAHORE -- At least 56 policemen across the province have so far been infected with coronavirus and admitted to different public and private hospitals and quarantine centres.

These policemen contracted the virus allegedly due to non-provision of protective gear despite fighting the virus on the front line along with the medical fraternity, Dawn learnt on Wednesday.

Of the 56 police, 35 were in Lahore, including a station house officer (SHO) who is said to be critical. Most of these policemen were deputed in the high-risk area of Raiwind, especially outside the quarantine centre there.

Four of the Covid-positive policemen were from the Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore, while 16 cases were reported from just one police station of Daska city, which included its SHO.

However, six of the policemen had recovered in various parts of the province and discharged from hospitals.

So far, 56 police across Punjab have tested positive for coronavirus

A senior police officer on the condition of anonymity told Dawn that thousands of policemen on the front line of the battle against coronavirus were working without any safety gear, health cover and insurance. Police were deputed at pickets in high-risk areas to ensure lockdown and also managing distribution of ration and other activities at great risk of being exposed to the virus, he added.

He claimed that the government had not announced any health policy for the policemen and those who had been infected were seeking treatment at various public and private hospitals on their own. 'We are requesting different private hospitals to give police concession because they are not able to meet the high expenses of the treatment,' he maintained.

The officer said the government had announced one-month additional salary for doctors and paramedic staff attending to coronavirus patients in hospitals of the province. 'As the police personnel are on the front line of the battle against coronavirus, a package should also be announced for them,' he added.

He said if the number of Covid-19 patients in the police...