New Delhi, May 2 (IANS): The total number of coronavirus cases in the CRPF has touched 136 across the country, including 135 from a single battalion housed in Delhi. With the test results of 22 men still awaited, the number can climb further.

The 135 Central Reserve Police Force personnel belong to the 31st Battalion based in Mayur Vihar's Phase-III, next to Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar which itself is a red zone.

As many as 480 personnel were tested from the Battalion for COVID-19. Of the 458 test reports out so far, 135 tested positive and 323 negative.

The 31st Battalion is one of the largest contingent of CRPF. Ever since the first coronavirus case was reported from the battalion, the numbers seem to be skyrocketing. It is speculated that the virus reached the Battalion through a medical staff of the unit.

However, most of the infected troopers are asymptomatic, CRPF DIG M. Dhinakaran said. He said that all infected personnel are admitted in an isolation facility of the Delhi government.

Earlier, 12 troopers of the Battalion tested positive on Friday, taking the total such cases in the paramilitary force to 64 across the country.

A 55-year-old Sub-Inspector of the 3.5-lakh strong paramilitary force had succumbed to corona infection on Tuesday.

The CRPF, the country's largest Central Armed Police Force, is mandated for internal security and law and order duties, apart from anti-Naxal and other counter-terror operations.

The development comes at a time when the deadly virus has already snuffed out 61 lives in the national capital, besides infecting a total of 3,738 people.