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At least eight Irish soldiers serving in Kosovo have tested positive for coronavirus following an outbreak among peacekeepers in the NATO-led mission.
The number represents two-thirds of the Irish contingent currently serving in the Kosovo Force (KFOR).
It is understood that 18 German soldiers have also contracted the virus.
KFOR has been delivering medical equipment to hospitals and contributing to the local response to Covid-19 in Kosovo since the beginning of the pandemic.
A spokesman for the Irish Defense Forces said all affected personnel are following the Covid-19 mission guidelines and that a “close liaison” between the mission and the organization is taking place at home.
It is understood that three Irish troops tested positive for coronavirus in the middle of last week, but this number had more than doubled on Friday.
They are currently being treated by Italian doctors.
According to the Defense Forces website, Ireland maintains a presence of 12 troops at KFOR headquarters in Film City, Pristina.
They are among the 3,500 military and civilians assigned to the mission.
“While Óglaigh na hÉireann (the Irish Defense Forces) does not comment on the details of individual cases, we can confirm the presence of Covid-19 among Irish KFOR personnel,” the spokesperson said.
“The health and well-being of our staff is a priority … and a close link is being established between the mission area and the organization at home.” The Irish company’s area of responsibility in Kosovo covers 190 square kilometers, within which it conducts regular patrols in Mowag armored personnel carriers.
Last month, Irish soldiers participated in a KFOR mission to deliver temporary shelters to Covid-19 testing facilities in Gracanica and Laplje Selo in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the development coordinator of the UN in Kosovo.
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