Chief of Defense: coronavirus outbreak in western Lithuanian battalion contained

A coronavirus outbreak in the Grand Duke Kestutis Mechanized Infantry Battalion in the western district of Taurage has been brought under control, Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupsys said on Thursday.

"The outbreak is under control. We have 27 cases. As of this morning, there are no additional (infected) soldiers," he told LRT Radio.

Some 161 soldiers of the battalion, which has around 460 conscripts, are currently in isolated, according to the chief of defense.

In a bid to contain the coronavirus, the Armed Forces have scaled down exercises to ensure that soldiers train in smaller groups and restricted access for civilians to military areas, he said.