The government on Monday decided to expand the universal screening of passengers after India reported two positive cases of the novel( Covid-19) coronavirus, one in New Delhi and the other one in Telangana. The person from Delhi had traveled to Italy, the health ministry said, adding that the other person with the coronavirus infection has a history of travel to Dubai.
“One positive case of Covid-19 has been detected in capital Delhi, and one has been detected in Telangana. Both the patients are stable and being monitored.”The ministry of health in an update said.
While monitoring continues at the airports, another passenger who landed in Jaipur was put in isolation after he showed symptoms of Covid-19. He had tested negative, though, he tested positive, in the second testing. His samples have been sent again for testing since two different results were found in the lab.
In the light of new cases emerging, the government expanded the universal screening of passengers on flights from Italy and Iran besides the flights from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.“All airlines shall make in-flight announcements on flights coming from these countries and ensure strict compliance,” said the order dated March 2 by Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
group of ministers (GoM) held a meeting on Monday as fears mount. The health minister said that there is a likelihood of suspending more and more travel visas depending on the situation. The Indian government has already suspended travel to Iran and China.
The minister further advised that Indians avoid non-essential travel to Italy, Singapore, and Korea. According to health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, passengers from 12 nations are being screened currently at 12 major and 35 minor seaports and 21 airports. The minister also said that all joint secretaries in the ministry of health are assigned to assess the preparedness of states for (coronavirus)Covid-19.
In addition, more than 3,695-gram sabha meetings have been conducted in 21 border districts in Bihar Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Sikkim. As of now 10, 24,922 persons have been screened at the Nepal border. He further stated that the personal protection equipment (PPE), N95 masks et al, are available in adequate quantity.
The deadly coronavirus, which has spread to more than 70 countries has so far killed over 3,000 people, infecting almost 90,000 since it first got detected in Wuhan in China in December 2019. While the US Australia and reported their first deaths on Sunday, Iran reported 66, Italy 34 and South Korea 22 deaths. China, the epicenter of the outbreak, on Monday reported 42 new fatalities from the deadly virus, taking the toll in that country to 2,912, China National Health Commission said. Ficci president Dr. Sangita Reddy said collective action can help India brace for the likely impact of (coronavirus)Covid-19.
Also read: coronavirus positive case in Hyderabad
