26 sailors tested positive for COVID-19, says Indian Navy

All the infected sailors are posted in INS Angre, a shore establishment, and are currently undergoing treatment for the infection at a naval hospital.

The Navy said all the cases were detected after extensive contact tracing and aggressive screening by the Western Naval Command after a sailor test positive for novel coronavirus on April 7, said the reports.

After the sailor was tested positive for the infection, INS Angre was sealed off completely, informed the Navy and added that containment zones and buffer areas have been been marked.

Frequent disinfection is being done as per the protocol to break the chain of infection, the Navy added.

So far, not a single case of COVID-19 has surfaced in Navy's ship, submarine or air station, a navy statement has said, stated the reports.

All the infected sailors are asymptomatic and they are undergoing treatment in INHS Asvini, they added.

"Our naval assets continue to be mission-deployed in 3 dimensions, with networks and space assets functioning optimally. Navy is combat-ready, mission-capable and is in full readiness in a national mission to fight COVID-19 and provide support to friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region," the navy said, pointing its preparedness in the fight against COVID-19.

Currently, there are 12,289 active COVID-19 cases in the country and 448 people have died of the infection so far, according to Union Health Ministry data.