NEW DELHI: 122 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel’s coronavirus positive result has alarmed the Indian security force citing criticism for the lack of enough precaution despite the chances of transmission.
The CRPF personnel of the 31st battalion of the paramilitary, based in Mayur Vihar phase-3 area of the national capital, that was entirely sealed after 52 personnel were infected with the novel coronavirus and one succumbed to it over the last few days.
According to PTI, the number of COVID-19 personnel in a Delhi-based battalion of the CRPF, the country’s largest paramilitary, has risen to 122 by Saturday.
“A total of 122 troopers of this battalion have tested positive for the virus. Results for over 100 more are awaited,” a senior official of CRPF confirmed.
The personnel are admitted to an isolation facility of the Delhi government at Mandoli.
Twelve troopers had tested positive on Friday and a 55-year-old Sub-Inspector of this unit had succumbed to the disease early this week.
These huge numbers in a single battalion (of over 1,000 troopers) has rung alarm bells in the establishment after it was found that “dichotomous” orders were issued to check the spread of COVID-19.
Critics cite the flaw committed by making mandatory 14 day quarantine provision liberal to the doctors and paramedics.
While the general order in the force was a mandatory quarantine of 14 days for personnel joining back the unit from leave or having suspected exposure to a coronavirus-infected person, CRPF officers said it recently came to light that the medical wing of the paramilitary issued a separate order in April stating that doctors and paramedics can be taken off the quarantine if they do not show any symptom after five days.
Officials have indicated that the primary source of the COVID-19 infection in this unit could be a constable (nursing assistant) who joined this battalion after finishing his leave period at his home in the national capital.
(With inputs from agencies)
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