CRPF jawan in Chhattisgarh tests negative for coronavirus

A CRPF jawan deployed in Chhattisgarh, who showed coronavirus-like symptoms after visiting a hospital in Kerala, has tested negative for the contagious disease, officials said on Wednesday.

His samples were collected last week after he reported high fever and cough at a camp in Bastar region.

"The test results of the jawan have come negative for coronavirus. He was kept in isolation at a force camp in Chhattisgarh. The jawan has been advised to take precautions for some more days," a senior CRPF officer said.

The trooper, part of a battalion deployed for anti-Naxal operations in the state, had reported to his unit on March 10 after coming from his hometown in Kerala's Kottayam district.

The jawan was reported to have visited a hospital in Kerala where some people were kept under isolation for COVID-19.

His samples were taken and sent to a laboratory in Mumbai after he complained of fever and cough.

The 3.25 lakh personnel strong Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed around 25,000 personnel as part of over 26 battalions to conduct anti-Maoist operations in the central Indian state.

The number of the novel coronavirus cases in the country rose to 147 on Wednesday, with 10 fresh cases reported from various parts of the country, according to the Union health ministry.

The cases include 25 foreign nationals and three people who died in Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Over 5,700 people, who had come in contact with coronavirus patients, are under surveillance, the ministry said.