In a shocking development, at least 24 patients undergoing cancer treatment have been found positive for COVID-19 at the Indian Army's Research and Referral Hospital in the national capital. All the 24 infected patients have now been shifted to the Army's Base Hospital. The Army, however, has clarified that no serving doctor or medical staff at the Army hospital has been tested positive yet.
"Twenty four non-covid in-patients, including serving and retired military personnel and dependents, admitted in R&R Hospital, all from same oncology department, have tested positive for COVID-19 and shifted to Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment," a senior army officer said. Research and Referral hospital of the Indian army is a multi-speciality hospital where the President, the prime minister and other top dignitaries undergo treatment.
Official sources claimed that extensive screening is going on in all the departments of the hospital. The entire ward, which is part of the building, has been vacated to start sanitisation as per the standard protocol. Army sources further stated that after a patient is tested positive, a detailed contact tracing is carried out, including family members, who are then categorised into high-risk groups. "Quarantine protocol and testing of those in high-risk groups is carried out. And, all this can take upto 48 hours," Army sources said, while adding that a total of 74 persons, including serving, ex-servicemen and dependents from all three armed forces have been admitted as on date for COVID. Forty two people till date have been discharged after successful treatment, the sources added.
The Indian Army has so far reported 14 COVID-19 cases, of which five have recovered and joined back on duty.
