The Defense Ministry said on Saturday that COVID-19 has been confirmed among the 22,353 serving personnel of the Armed Forces and a total of 41 people have lost their lives so far.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik said, "The total number of confirmed cases of Kovid-19 among the serving personnel of the Armed Forces is 22,353". To date, there have been a total of 41 deaths in the Armed Forces which may be directly caused by COVID-19. ”He added that all hospitals in the Armed Forces are properly equipped to treat COVID-19 patients.
He said, "On the lines of international and national treatment protocols for COVID-19, there is a considerable system of anti-viral drugs (fevipiravir and remadecivir) and 'immuno-modulatory agents' (tocilizumab prednisolone etc.) in the Armed Forces hospitals." Naik also mentioned that plasma therapy is being used in two hospitals of the Armed Forces for the treatment of seriously ill patients.
He said that at the beginning of the epidemic, supply orders were issued to all the hospitals of the Armed Forces equipped with vital equipment like ventilators, oxygen, PPE, face masks, sanitizers, thermal monitors, etc. for covid care.
The Minister of State for Defense told the Upper House that in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, personnel returning from holidays have been mandated to remain in isolation for 14 days.
He said that comprehensive information, education and contact campaign is being carried out by the armed forces at all stations so that the public can be made aware of the rescue measures, mainly in terms of social distance.