Thiruvananthapuram: A jail inmate died of COVID-19 at the Poojappura Central Prison here. The deceased was identified as Manikandan (72), an under-trial prisoner. He was confirmed with COVID-19 four days ago and was undergoing treatment.

Manikandan was hospitalised after he collapsed due to physical discomforts. He tested positive for COVID-19 in a test performed later. It is learnt that he was suffering from age-related ailments. He has been in prison for the last one and a half years. The source from where he contracted the disease is yet to be identified.

Soon after Manikandan was diagnosed with COVID, the prisoners and prison staff were subjected to Covid tests and 217 tested positive for the disease. All of them are admitted in a special treatment centre arranged inside the Poojappura prison.

With Manikandan's death, a total of 7 deaths due to COVID-19 has been reported in the state on Sunday. Earlier, the deaths of Kannur Kannapuram native Krishnan, Wayanad Valadu native Aali (73), Chirayinkeezhu native Ramadevi (68), Konni native Shaharuban Beevi (54), Alappuzha Pathiyoor native Sadanandan (63) and Paravoor native Kamalamma (85) who died the other day, were confirmed to be due to COVID-19.