44 fresh COVID-19 cases in CAPFs; 20 discharged from Referral hospital

Coronavirus cases in central paramilitary forces continued to climb as 44 fresh infections were reported on Friday even as 20 ITBP and BSF personnel were discharged upon recovery from their speciality hospital in Greater Noida, officials said.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases, as per data accessed by PTI, in the five forces of CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB stand at 848. Forty-four fresh cases were reported on Friday apart from some recoveries, they said.

Seventeen personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and three of the Border Security Force were discharged on recovery after an event was held at the solitary Referral hospital of these forces in Greater Noida near here.

The chief of the two forces, S S Deswal, addressed these personnel and asked them to not forget the lessons taught by COVID-19 pandemic, like having a healthy lifestyle, eating nutritious food and ensuring physical fitness to combat diseases.

The director general of the two forces asked the recovered personnel to ensure four things in the future -- physical distancing, sanitisation of the surroundings, personal hygiene and exercising.

"You picked the virus during duty in containment zones and other places. There is a danger of contracting the virus but as you all know there is nothing to panic or fear about."