Over 200 security personnel infected by COVID across Arunachal Pradesh

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Over 200 personnel of security forces have tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, after the spread of the infection in the north-eastern State, said State Health & Family Welfare Secretary P Parthiban during a virtual press conference here on Wednesday.

He added that sero surveillance through the 'Rapid Antigen Tests' for truck drivers and returnees have already started at Banderdewa, Ruksin and Khonsa check gates, adding that such tests at the other entry points would start soon.

Responding to a query, the Health Secretary informed that the State government has decided to start plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. "We are in the process to purchase apheresis machines; and very soon one will be installed at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) to start plasma therapy. Such machines will also be installed in other districts in a phased manner," he added.

As many as 220 personnel, including the Army, Assam Rifles, Border Road Task Force (BRTF), National Disaster Response force (NDRF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITPB), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and State Police have been infected with the virus in various parts of the State.

The ITBP has reported 54 cases, NDRF has 53 cases followed by Army and CRPF with 32 cases each, BRTF (16) and Assam Rifles with two cases. A total of 31 positive cases have reported among the State Police personnel. While 12 personnel of the Naharlagun Police Station tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, 18 personnel had tested positive on Monday in the Capital region.

While the two Assam Rifles personnel who tested positive for the virus were reported from Changlang district, of the 32 Armymen reported with coronavirus infection, 20 are from West Kameng and 12 from East Siang district respectively.

Of the reported 54 corona cases among the ITBP personnel, 18 are from the Papum Pare district, 10 each from the Capital Complex and Leparada district, seven from Upper Siang, six from Lower Dibang Valley and one each from West Siang, West Kameng and Lower Siang districts.

While all the COVID-affected personnel from the NDRF have been reported from the Papum Pare district, 32 CRPF personnel are from Namsai (22) and 10 from the Capital region.

Among the 16 infected BRTF personnel, five are from the Capital Complex, three from Lower Siang and two each from Lower Dibang Valley, Namsai, Lower Subansiri and Tirap district respectively.

"Most of the cases are returnees. While the State government is extending support to the infected personnel from NDRF and BRTF by providing them quarantine facilities and COVID Care Centres, the Army, Assam Rifles and other central para-military forces are taking care of their respective personnel," Parthiban informed.

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