One Jawan tested positive, Army to screen its troops daily during morning parade

The Indian Army has placed its soldiers, who came in contact with a 34-year-old trooper from Leh infected with coronavirus, in quarantine and under observation, defence sources said on Wednesday.

This is the first COVID-19 case in the armed forces.

Amid coronavirus threat across the country, the Indian Army has decided to screen all its troops daily during morning parade and has cancelled all mass gatherings, the Army said on Wednesday.

"During morning PT/parade/roll call all troops will be screened by medical officers. Those reporting with complaints or symptoms of cough, cold or fever will be reported to the nearest military hospital to prevent cross infection," an advisory stated.

The advisory was issued as a large number of troops stay together in barracks and the risk of the outbreak hitting the 14 lakh Indian Army is high.

The force has cancelled all mass gatherings like festivals, welfare activities or vista to crowded places like movie halls and malls.

All military hospitals have been asked to establish isolation wards and exclusive out-patient departments (OPDs) for suspected coronavirus cases, the advisory said.

It further pointed that that any person with a history of contact with suspect COVID-19 cases or travel to those countries that are severely hit should be directed to report for screening and quarantine.

All medical units have been asked to ensure adequate availability of life saving equipment, masks and essential medical stores.

"Emergency procurement powers may be utilised for this," the advisory states.

It further pointed that all medical units should have capability of collection and transportation of clinical samples for COVID-19 testing and confirmation.

The military hospitals, the advisory stated, should have synergy with civil medical authorities to ensure optimum medical preparedness and utilisation of their facilities for the hospital based management, investigation and critical care.

The Indian Army has been on the forefront in setting up quarantine bases in the country.

The force has set up quarantine bases for around 4,000 people. The Army was running facilities in Manesar and Jaisalmer with 300 and 1,000 capacity respectively.

As more people are being airlifted from coronavirus-hit countries, the new bases in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jhansi will have a capacity of 1,000 people.

The force is also setting up quarantine bases in West Bengal's Binnaguri and Bihar's Gaya with a capacity of 300 each.