AIIMS sets up isolation ward for treating suspected novel coronavirus infection cases

All India Institute of Medical Sciences in national capital has set up an isolation ward and kept beds rey for providing treatment to any suspected case of vel coronavirus infection. vel coronavirus (nCoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but virus that has so far killed 25 people and affected 830 in China is a vel strain and t seen before.

It emerged from a seafood and animal market in China's Wuhan, and is suspected to have spre to as far as United States. According to World Health Organisation, common symptoms of vel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said, "We have an isolation ward and we have beds kept rey for providing care and treatment for suspected coronavirus cases in Delhi or elsewhere in India." "All precautionary measures -- in terms of personal protection equipment for healthcare workers to prevent spre of disease while treating infected patients -- are in place."

Guleria said that hospital preparedness with regard to manment and infection prevention control facilities has been also reviewed. "If need be, we have capacity to increase our isolation ward facilities and provide treatment to such patients."

As a precautionary measure, people should maintain good standards of hand hygiene, avoid travelling in crowded places and use masks. Any person having slight symptoms of cough, fever and weakness should immediately report to nearest health facility, he said.

According to AIIMS director, as of w re is definite treatment, antibiotics or vaccines available for combating particular virus strain and only supportive treatment for pneumonia is given. One has to follow preventive medication strategies, he said.

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Two persons who returned from China have been kept under medical observation in Mumbai for possible exposure to vel coronavirus. As many as 1,789 passengers underwent rmal screening at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for coronavirus since January 19 and two of m, who h travelled to China, have been mitted to Kasturba Hospital.

WHO on Thursday said dely virus outbreak in China and beyond does t yet constitute a global emergency as it urged Beijing to keep its lockdown of some 20 million people "short". "I am t declaring a public health emergency of international concern today," WHO chief Tedros ham Ghebreyesus told reporters after a two-day emergency meeting in Geneva on virus.

global health body has confirmed that new virus can be passed between people, at least those in close contact. Chinese health officials warned it could mutate and spre furr. Union health ministry has said that 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 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. 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.

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

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