Cases on the rise in Pune military establishments, recovery rate also good

Mubarak Ansari

Pune, 16 July 2020: Increasing number of Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) cases are being detected in various military establishments in Pune, including the National Defense Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla.

Many NDA Cadets have been found positive. According to sources, the cases have spread to different squadrons and over 20 cadets were quarantined. The classes and outdoor activities have been suspended at the tri-services academy.

All Army, Navy and Air Force establishments and campuses were sealed when the nationwide lockdown was first announced in March, and movement of residents in and out of such areas was not allowed. Similarly, people from outside are not allowed entry inside these secure campuses.

Many of those found COVID positive are personnel from Army units located in the Pune cantonment area. Also, single-digit cases have been reported from other military organisations located in different parts of Pune.

As per the Military Hospital (CTC) near Command Hospital, about 120 serving military personnel, veterans and their family members have been treated for COVID-19. However, officials did not disclose how many of them were serving and veterans. “The number of cases is in double-digit with good recovery rate and patients include serving members, dependents and veterans. The strength of troops and the number of COVID cases is very low as compared to Pune stations”, stated an official statement from Army’s Southern Command based in Pune.

“All the instructions and advisories issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Army Medical Authorities and of Southern Command Headquarters are strictly being followed. This is one of the main reason for less number of infections compared to other ‘civilian’ areas in Pune. Various measures/precautions are being instituted to control virus spread like social distancing, use of face masks and sanitizer, regular thermal screening, area sanitation by a regular spray of disinfectant, home delivery of essential commodities, maintenance of contact list, regular dissemination of inputs on COVID-19 and isolation of affected areas”, according to a statement issued by Army’s Southern Command HQ based in Pune.

Last month, 12 trainee sailors were found positive at INS Shivaji, Lonavla, which is a premier training establishment of the Indian Navy, entrusted with the responsibility of imparting training in the domain of Marine Engineering to officers and sailors of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other friendly foreign nations. INS Shivaji has not shared any information after that.

Punekar News has sent an email query to NDA through Defence PRO. This report will be updated after getting a reply from NDA.