COVID-19: 18 more BSF men test positive in Tripura, says CM

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Twitter said that 18 more BSF personnel of the 138th Battalion, a woman and three children, at Ambassa have found COVID-19 positive. Total positive cases in Tripura so far stands at 64.

Agartala: As many as 22 more persons -- 18 Border Security Force (BSF) troopers, a woman and three children -- tested coronavirus positive for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday in Tripura, taking the active cases among troopers and their family members in the state to 62, Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb said.

Deb, who also holds the health and home portfolios, said in a late night tweet: "18 more BSF personnel of the 138th Battalion, a woman and three children, at Ambassa (in northern Tripura's Dhalai district) found COVID-19 positive. Total positive cases in Tripura (so far) stands at 64 (two discharged; active cases 62). Don't panic. The govt is working vigilantly."

According to Tripura's health officials, these 62 patients include 54 BSF men of the 138 Battalion, two women, their five children and a mess worker.

The officials said that 331 people, comprising 90 doctors and health workers and 241 BSF jawans, were identified for directly or indirectly coming in contact with the infected BSF troopers.

The swab samples of the identified people are being tested in a phased manner, they said.

Most of the infected persons are now undergoing treatment at the Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala, a dedicated Covid-19 hospital.

Dhalai District Magistrate Brahmneet Kaur has declared three containment zones -- the BSF battalion headquarters, their administrative base camp at Gandachara and Karina Border Outpost (BoP).

IANS REPORT