Coronavirus: Kerala confirms the first case of the virus in India
While China’s coronavirus outbreak is creating a worldwide panic, India confirms its first case of coronavirus in Kerala. A student studying in Wuhan university in China has been tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an official statement.
The health ministry said that the patient has tested positive for novel coronavirus and is in isolation in the hospital. The statement also adds that the patient is stable and being closely monitored. As a precaution, over 400 Keralites are under surveillance for possible exposure to the virus. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that in almost all the identified airports, states and union territories had started the thermal and symptomatic screening. The government has already made it clear that it is prepared to handle any outbreak in the country.
An official statement has added that thermal screening sensors are operational and few more such equipment is being procured. “The immigration and other staff members at the airports have been sensitized and dedicated ambulances are placed at the Airports. Deployment of medical & para-medical staff is also being done for round-the-clock service,” the statement added.
According to the ministry, the hospitals have made isolation wards and is all ready to face any eventuality. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor & Head of Department-Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi said the cases of these types of virus are managed according to their symptomatology as no drug is available against this virus. Hence strict surveillance and prevention are needed against viruses like the corona.
At the same time, three suspected patients admitted to Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital were discharged after being tested negative of coronavirus. Among them, one is a student while the other two have gone for the business work trip to China and returned. Following the disease outbreak, the government has warned people to hold back from travelling to China. so far, India has tested around 28 samples for the deadly coronavirus infection.
Coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. So far, 170 people have died of the virus, while over 1700 cases have been registered in China alone.
Source: NDTV, Livemint, Hindustan Times.