Armed forces of India saw its first case of COVID-19 virus as a 34-year-old jawan from Ladakh Scouts in Leh was tested positive for COVID-19. His father returned from Iran recently and transferred the virus into his son.
As a precautionary measure, the entire garrison of the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre had been put under lockdown from early Wednesday morning and the entry and exit of any kind had been prohibited.
The jawan was staying at home via casual leave from February 25 to March 1 and rejoined the unit on March 2, Army sources told the reporters.
“His father returned from Iran after a pilgrimage by Air India flight on February 27 and was quarantined from February 29 at Ladakh Heart Foundation,” an Army source said. Sources told that even though the soldier rejoined from leave, he was still active in helping his family during the quarantine period. He was staying at Chuchot village for sometime.
The jawan’s father tested positive for COVID-19 on March 6 and was isolated at SNM Hospital. “The jawan was also quarantined on March 7 and he tested positive on March 16 at 2230h and was isolated at the SNM Hospital,” the source claimed.
His sister, wife and two children have also been quarantined at the SNM Heart Foundation.
Owing to this unfortunate event, the Army postponed all courses starting from March 23 plus also cancelled all of the non-essential training, conferences and movements. However, courses currently in progress will be carried on with precautions.
“Soldiers belonging to different parts of the country are camping in the open and carrying out mass training activities near Suratgarh, which is a potential threat to the locals,” one officer stated.
