ARMY REPORTS ITS FIRST CASE; 10 SOLDIERS QUARANTINED

In first case of coronavirus in Indian Army, a jawan from Ladakh Scouts has tested positive for Covid-19.

Indian Army has quarantined 10 soldiers at the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre in Leh, after the jawan from the Centre tested positive for Covid-19. The Center has also been put under a lockdown.

The 34-year-old jawan’s father had recently returned from Iran after a pilgrimage and was in quarantine.

As a precaution, Indian Army has postponed all courses starting from coming Monday. The courses which are in progress will continue with precautions. However, all non-essential training, conferences and movement of the Indian Army has been cancelled. It has asked Army personnel that all non-essential foreign travel must be avoided.

The jawan, who has tested positive for coronavirus had taken casual leave from February 25 till March 1 and had rejoined the Centre on March 2. His father had returned from Iran after pilgrimage by Air India flight on February 27 and was quarantined from February 29 at Ladakh Heart Foundation.

“Even though soldier had rejoined from his leave but he was helping his family also during the quarantine period and was staying at Chuchot village for some time as well,” said sources. The father of the jawan reported positive for Covid-19 on March 6 and he was isolated at Sonam Nurboo Memorial Hospital in Leh.

The soldier was also quarantined on March 7 and was detected to be positive on 16 March and was isolated at SNM Hospital. The sister of the soldier, his wife and two children are also quarantined at SNM Heart Foundation.

An Army officer attached to the College of Military Engineering in Pune has been asked to self-quarantine after he showed symptoms of flu.