In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the total number of Indians infected with Coronavirus is 276 - 255 in Iran, 12 in UAE, five in Italy, and one each in Hong Kong, Kuwait, Rwanda and Sri Lanka.
Replying to a separate question, Muraleedharan said eight resident Indians are under quarantine in the UAE, while none in Kuwait. In Iran, as per available information, there are over 6,000 Indian nationals, he said in his written reply to a question on whether many Indians are held up in Arab countries including Kuwait and Iran due to Coronavirus.
ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus Positive Cases Cross 145 Mark In India
"The Indians in Iran include about 1,100 pilgrims mainly from Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and Maharashtra, nearly 300 students primarily from J&K, about 1,000 fishermen, including from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, and others who are on a long-term stay in Iran for pursuing their livelihood and religious studies," the minister said in Upper House.
Asked about steps take by the Centre to help Indians stranded in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak, Muraleedharan said the government has made focussed efforts for the safe return of Indians from that country.
Muraleedharan also noted that India had "Provided 15 tonnes of medical assistance including one lakh masks, one lakh surgical masks, five lakh pairs of surgical gloves, 75 pieces of infusion pumps, 30 pieces of enteral feeding pumps, 21 pieces of Defibrillator, 4, 000 pieces of N-95 masks to China."
ALSO WATCH | Few Indians In Iran Found Coronavirus Positive, Being Taken Care Of: MEA
In Iran, a team of six Indian health officials has been deputed in order to set up testing and sampling facilities. Muraleedharan also stated that 1,706 samples have been taken, including from pilgrims, students and other Indians stranded in Iran.
These are tested at medical facilities including the National Institute of Virology, Pune, he said. "As of March 16, 389 Indians, including 205 pilgrims and 183 students, have been repatriated in four batches on board special flights of the Indian Air Force and Iranian airlines," Muraleedharan informed the House.
Iran is one of the worst-affected countries amid the Coronavirus outbreak and the government has been working to bring back Indians stranded there. Nearly 1,000 people have died from the disease in Iran.
(With inputs from agencies)