A group of around 21 journalists admitted in the Covid hospital of Dhanbad on Tuesday night complained of shoddy arrangements, unhygienic conditions and delayed food supply on Wednesday, a day after complaints of insects being found in the food served there.

Altogether 25 persons, including JMM MLA of Tundi, Mathura Mahto, besides 21 journalists and some policemen, tested positive on Tuesday after the tests conducted on Sunday (July 6) after which they were sent to four different quarantine centres, including IIT (ISM), RPF Barrack, Dhanbad Divisional Railway Hospital and SSLNT Hospital Dhanbad.

In a text message to the president of the Dhanbad Press Club, Sanjeev Jha, one of journalists admitted in the hospital, alleged that poor hygiene and delayed food supply posed a risk to their health.

Another journalist of Jharia, in a text message to the president of Jharia Press Club, Arun Baranwal, said, “We still have not been provided bedsheets and we were given breakfast around 9.30am instead of 8am.”

A photographer admitted to the hospital said over the telephone, “Garbage is overflowing from the dustbins lying in the ward while the toilets are also lying dirty.”

He added that the medicines were not being given properly.

The patients of the Covid hospital on Tuesday protested over insects found in a potato dish served to them as part of breakfast.

They also alleged that breakfast was served at 11am and dinner at 7pm instead of 10pm.

Dhanbad sub-divisional officer Raj Maheshwaram told The Telegraph Online, “Instructions have been given to change the bedsheets daily in the wards and improve cleanliness in the wake of the complaints.”

“We will increase the staff strength of the hospital to improve the arrangements and procure some articles using the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds provided to improve facilities in the hospital,” he added.