Firdous Hassan
Srinagar: CRPF has quarantined at least 200 personnel and recalled medical staff from leave to augment the efforts in preventing the spread of coronavirus in the valley.
CRPF spokesperson Pankaj Singh told The Kashmir Monitor that 200 CRPF personnel, who returned to the valley from Jammu Transit Camp in the last week, have been quarantined.
“All these jawans have been quarantined in different units. They are under constant observation of a team of doctors and paramedics,” he said.
Singh said that the medical staff including doctors and paramedics have been recalled from leave.
“We want to be ready for any eventuality. We have recalled doctors from leave and asked them to join their respective units. We have now abundant resources available. We can even treat civilians if the need arises,” he said.
The CRPF spokesperson said the forces are adopting every precautionary measures in the barracks to keep themselves safer from the disease.
“Our forces maintain social distance and the highest level of hygiene. Jawans are being constantly informed about safety measures through various programmes,” he said.
Another CPRF official said protective gears including masks and sanitizers have been distributed among the forces to ensure their safety during duty hours.
“All the units have been fumigated with chemicals. Till now, none from CRPF has tested positive though we have intensified screening of jawans,” he said.
Last week, CRPF top brass had ordered the extension of leaves of its personnel and restricted non-essential movement to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The army too has adopted proactive measures and kept medical staff in a state of readiness to deal with any eventuality.
So far, none from the army has developed coronavirus like symptoms though they have set up multiple isolation wards in Kashmir.
“No case of coronavirus has been reported so far. We have abundant medical staff, who keep track of the health of jawans. “ said Lieutenant Colonel Abhinav Navneet, defence spokesperson at Northern Command Headquarters.
Sources said the police have also alerted medical staff in Jammu and Kashmir especially after the spurt in positive cases. “Any policemen complaining of fever or other health-related issues is being screened at Police Hospital in Srinagar,” said an officer.
