12,828 passengers screened for novel coronavirus infection till Jan 22: Health ministry

A total of 12,828 passengers from 60 flights have been screened for vel coronavirus infection till January 22 but positive case has been detected in country so far, Union health ministry said on Thursday.

Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan is reviewing evolving scenario and preparedness status.

She has asked states and union territories to review hospital preparedness in terms of isolation and ventilator manment of critically ill patients, identify gaps and strengn core capacities in area of surveillance and laboratory support, an official statement said.

rmal screening is being done at international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderab and Cochin.

Meanwhile, amid reports that a nurse from Kerala working in Saudi Arabia has tested positive

for new coronavirus, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to

take up matter with Gulf nation and ensure expert treatment.

However, health department sources in Kerala said re is information about nurses from state having been affected.

civil aviation ministry has asked airlines to follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines for managing and tifying anybody reporting illness on flights originating from China and disembarking in India. 

ministry has instructed for in-flight anuncements for India bound flights.

A travel visory was issued on January 17 and put up on ministry's website and also on Twitter handle for wider circulation.

"Port and airport health organisations have been sensitised and rmal screening has been initiated at international airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderab and Cochin airports," statement said. 

airport health organisations have also put up signs at prominent locations informing public about self-reporting of illness. Immigration officers manning counters have been sensitised at se airports. 

ministry of health has written to governments of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nu, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka to review and strengn preparedness measures at designated airports for provision of isolation and critical care facilities, links with VRDL network laboratories and herence to infection prevention and control guidelines. 

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has issued visory to all states and union territories for surveillance to pick up any travel related case reported in community and follow up contacts of suspect or confirmed cases.