Indian evacuees prevented from becoming vehicles of COVID-19 contamination: Army

A total of 1,036 Indian nationals were evacuated in five batches to India post-testing for Coronavirus in Iran, a Defence spokesperson said on Tuesday. Three batches were brought to Jaisalmer and two to Jodhpur.

"Upon arrival, y were quarantined for 14 days as per ICMR protocol at Army Wellness Facilities at Jaisalmer and Jodhpur which were created by vacating living barracks of troops," said Sombit Ghosh, PRO Defence, Rajasthan.

Efforts underway to ensure ir earliest return home

On completion of quarantine period, evacuees were tested for first time in India at AlIMS, Jodhpur, wherein out of 236 evacuees of first batch, 15 asymptomatic persons tested positive from March 28 onwards. statement said that complete second batch of 53 students tested negative on March 29, and efforts are underway to ensure ir earliest return home.

In third batch of 195 evacuees, only two persons have tested positive so far. In case of Jodhpur facility, proactive testing by Army in initial days itself led to identification of 19 positive cases out of total 552 evacuees, who have been isolated at AIIMS and MDM hospitals Jodhpur, while rest are undergoing quarantine at Army facility.

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"As a consequence of Army's diligent and systematic efforts, asymptomatic evacuees who tested positive have been prevented from becoming vehicles of contamination to or parts of nation," statement added. As per ICMR directive, quarantine period of batch one and three have been extended by ar 14 days and even smaller clusters of 25-50 people have been made to furr reduce chances of community spread and ensure ir early return home.

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total number of positive cases reached 4,789 on Tuesday, 14th day of lockdown. According to latest update of Health Ministry, re are 4,312 active cases, 352 persons have been cured or discharged (one migrated) and 124 have died.

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(With ANI inputs)