Ten evacuees from Iran, who were quarantined at two of Indian Army's facilities in Rajasthan have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. Nine were tested in Jaisalmer and one person has been confirmed positive in Jodhpur military facility. Officials fear that the number may go up as testing is being done at state government's hospitals.
At present, 484 evacuees at quarantined at Army's wellness centre at Jaisalmer while 552 people are at the Jodhpur facility.
While confirming nine cases in Jaisalmer, Army sources said, "We came to know about six cases of COVID positive on late Monday night and three fresh cases have been reported today. So far, we have only come to know about 41-year-old person in Jodhpur facility."
Army sources said a total of 484 evacuees from Iran had come in three batches from March 15 to 18 to Jaisalmer military facility. In Jodhpur, the first batch of 277 evacuees from Iran landed by Iranian airlines from Tehran on March 25 and 275 others came on March 29.
The official claimed that all evacuees had a preliminary screening on arrival at the airport before being admitted to the quarantine facilities. Those who tested positive have been shifted to the state government hospital for further treatment.
Currently, six military-operated quarantine facilities are operational at Hindon, Manesar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ghatkopar and Chennai and are housing 1,059 civilian evacuees from Italy, Iran and Malaysia among others.
Earlier, three people had tested positive, taking the total number of positive cases among the evacuees to 13.
