49 NDRF personnel test positive for COVID after Amphan rescue work

At least 49 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and 12 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel, who had gone to West Bengal to help with the restoration work after cyclone Amphan, have tested positive for COVID-19 after returning to the state.

This happens to be the largest cluster of coronavirus cases among the NDRF, which had reported cases only in single digits so far in Delhi. The NDRF had remained largely unaffected by the virus till now, while the number of infected cases in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) crossed 1,500.

These 49 people were part of a 190-member team who had gone to West Bengal for rescue and relief operations last month from Odisha.

They were among the 146 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Odisha on Tuesday (June 9).

“As per procedure, the team had gone to West Bengal after being tested for COVID-19 and coming out negative. They were again tested when they returned. But they are all asymptomatic and we are hoping we will see 100% recovery,” The Indian Express quoted an NDRF official as saying.

Meanwhile, NDRF DG N Sathya Pradhan tweeted on Monday (June 8), “In view of inquiries it is informed that on testing of #NDRF personnel in Odisha after return from #CycloneAmphan duties 50 were found positive of nearly 190 personnel tested for COVID19. So far all these personnel are asymptomatic and under observation.”

In view of inquiries it is informed that on testing of #NDRF personnel in Odisha after return from #CycloneAmphan duties 50 were found positive of nearly 190 personnel tested for COVID19. So far all these personnel are asymptomatic & under observation. @NDRFHQ @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/KoAZ1Oi6pr

— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଧାନ (@satyaprad1) June 8, 2020

On the other hand, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF), which have been highly involved in law and order duties in various cities, have reported the maximum number of cases.

The cases in the CRPF and BSF add up to 1,000 cases altogether.

At the same time, the recovery rate among the CRPF and the BSF too has been high, with the CRPf reporting less than 10 deaths.

Of the 504 cases reported in CRPF, 345 have recovered while five died.

In the BSF, 535 cases have been recorded till date, but only 108 are under treatment at the moment.

“The number of active infections were going down fast and in BSF they had reached 40, but after the lockdown was opened they started rising again. This has been largely because personnel have been returning from leave from their native places,” The Indian Express quoted a BSF officer as saying.