Soldier Tests Positive For Coronavirus, First Case In Army

A 34-year-old soldier posted in Leh, Ladakh, is the first case of coronavirus in the Indian Army. He has been placed in isolation while his garrison with 800 soldiers has also been quarantined.

The soldier is a part of an infantry regiment of the army. The entire garrison in Leh, which houses 800 soldiers, is now under lockdown and all entry and exit has been banned.

The soldier's father had returned from Iran on February 27, when he was on casual leave and visiting home. He reportedly rejoined duty on March 2. 

His father was quarantined from February 29 at the Ladakh Heart Foundation hospital and reported positive for coronavirus or COVID 19 on March 6. The soldier, quarantined a day later, tested positive on Monday.

Reports say even though the soldier had rejoined his post, he had been staying at his native village and helping his family during the quarantine.

The soldier's sister, wife and two children are also quarantined in hospital.

Another Indian Army officer has been isolated at a military institute in Pune with symptoms of the virus. The officer has not been tested yet.

Across India, 147 have tested positive for coronavirus and there have been three deaths.