COVID-19: Only 2 new case in 24 hours, ITBP total 159

Only two cornavirus cases were reported in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in the last 24 hours, even as its total tally on Tuesday touched 159. Since one infected personnel of the force was cured and discharged, the active cases are 158, an official said on Tuesday.

The number of novel coronavirus patients had been increasing with each passing day in all the paramilitary forces, with the total now estimated around 700, including 158 active cases in the ITBP, which is mandated to guard the 3,488 km India-China border and man border outposts on altitudes ranging from 9,000 feet to 18,700 feet in the western, middle and eastern sectors of the border.

The condition of all 158 ITBP patients admitted in hospitals is stable, the official said.

On May 5, as many as 45 ITBP personnel were found corona positive. The number reached 82 on May 7 and 100 on May 9. On Sunday, there was a spurt of 56 new cases in the force. But, the numbers suddenly registered a drastic slump and only one fresh case was reported on Monday.

Of the total, 129 ITBP personnel have been admitted to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Referral Hospital in Greater Noida while 26 are at the AIIMS in Haryana's Jhajjar and two at Safdarjung hospital in Delhi.

One personnel is being treated at LNJP in New Delhi.

The CAPF Hospital has emerged as a hub for treating coronavirus-affected personnel from not just the ITBP but different paramilitary forces.

Besides 129 ITBP personnel, it houses 28 BSF troopers, four CRPF and one CISF and NSG personnel each.

The facility is also treating one civilian and four family members of ITBP personnel. A total of 168 people are being treated at the facility.

( With inputs from IANS )