COVID-19: Navy undertakes medical evacuation trials

Kochi, Apr 9 (): The Indian Navy has undertakenmedical evacuation trials, including the exercise ofairlifting patients on Lakshadweep islands in the aftermathof novel coronavirus scare, a defence spokesman said here onThursday. Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal said some 3,000 peoplewere home quarantined on the islands but not a single COVID-19 case has been reported so far.

"So far, the islanders are safe. Some 3,000 people whocame from outside the islands have been home quarantined forthe last 16 days. No one has shown symptoms of the novelcoronavirus," he told .

However, preparations have been made to ensure thesafety of islanders in case if any coronavirus case isreported from Lakshadweep.

Since the hospitals on the islands are not equipped totreat COVID-19 patients, an emergency evacuation plan hasbeen prepared.

According to the plan, if anyone in the island hascontracted the virus, that person would be evacuated to theGovernment Medical College Hospital, Ernakulam, which hasbeen converted into a COVID-19 hospital by the Keralagovernment, the MPsaid.

In a press release, the Defence spokesman said theSouthern Naval Command undertook medical evacuation trials onWednesday.

Trials for evacuation of patients were undertaken onboard an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)and inside isolationcapsule in Dornier aircraft, he said.

A feasibility study was undertaken for in-housemodification to isolate the cockpit and cabin area byinstalling polythene film screen to prevent any kind ofcontact with the patient, he said. India's smallest Union Territory, Lakshadweep,comprises 36 islands.

All islands are 220 to 440 km from the coastal city ofKochi in Kerala. TGBNVG NVG