New Delhi, Apr 19 (IANS): At a time when 14 COVID-19 deaths have been reported from Karnataka, the Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) 'Patanjali' at Karwar in Uttara Kannada district has so far treated eight civilian patients affected with the deadly coronavirus.

The civilians were of the first group of COVID-19 positive patients who were admitted to the hospital on March 28 after the INHS Patanjali was prepared in every aspect within 24 hours acting on a request from the Karwar District administration upon announcement of first phase of 21-day nationwide lockdown from March 25.

Out of the nine patients admitted at the hospital, eight have been cured and discharged so far, said a statement issued by the Naval Base, the Indian Naval Hospital 'Patanjali'.

A team of three doctors, nine medical staff along with nine support staff ensured round-the-clock care to the nine COVID-19 positive patients admitted thus far.

"With the discharge of these eight patients over the last few days, the hospital is now attending to a lone patient admitted on April 16 who is also responding favourably to the treatment," the statement said.

In view of this additional responsibility, the statement said, INS 'Patanjali' has made alternate arrangements for routine medical attention to the large population of service personnel and families dependent on the hospital.

The hospital has been at the forefront of the fight against novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) by treating the patients from the Uttara Kannada district. A total of 14 people have died due to the COVID-19 disease in Karnataka and over 350 confirmed cases have been reported from the state so far.