26 Navy personnel test corona positive

New Delhi: Twenty-six naval sailors have tested coronavirus positive in Mumbai and are now placed in isolation, according to the Navy on Saturday. They belong to INS Angre, a shore establishment.

There has been no case of Covid-19 onboard any ship, submarine or air station of the Navy. “Our naval assets continue to be mission-deployed in three dimensions, with all the networks and space assets functioning optimally,” the Navy said in a statement.

The Covid-19 cases have been detected through aggressive screening, testing and meticulous contact tracing by Western Naval Command after a sailor tested positive on April 7.

“All these sailors continue to remain asymptomatic and are being monitored at INS Asvini, under the care of the best medical professionals, ” the force said.

Since the sailor tested Covid-19 positive, the Unit’s entire premises have been sealed, containment zones and buffer areas designated and frequent “disinfection continues to be carried out as per protocol to contain spread of transmission”, it said.

All other areas within naval premises are under strict lockdown and stringent quarantine and safety protocols are being enforced for personnel and their families. All missions for coastal and offshore security continue as before, it added.

Several quarantine facilities have been set up at naval premises in Mumbai, Goa, Kochi and Visakhapatnam. Naval aircraft have undertaken many missions, flying supplies and personnel aiding state governments.

“Our assets continue to remain on patrol covering a vast oceanic swath from the Straits of Malacca in the East to Bab-el-Mandeb in the West, including undertaking operation Sankalp to provide reassurance and protection to our merchant vessels and Anti-piracy patrols in Gulf of Aden,” the force said.

On April 10, Indian Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh had said the force would have to redouble the efforts in fight against coronavirus. “We are really the last bastion in the national effort against the pandemic,” Admiral Singh said addressing his men.

For the Navy, Admiral Singh said they had taken certain measures in consonance with the government, including stoppage of recruitment and training, freeze on movements and transfers, stoppage of work, except those related to national security, health and essential services.

While this is the first reported case of Covid-19 in the Navy, the Army has reported eight cases.

“We have only eight positive cases in the Army. Of the eight, two are doctors and one nursing assistant. Four are responding well to the treatment,” Army Chief General M.M. Naravane said on Friday.

IANS