Amid Coronavirus scare, Army directs military hospitals to set up isolation wards, OPDs

As country's total number of positive cases of Coronavirus touched 31 on Friday, Indian Army on Friday issued detailed instructions about preparations and emergency response to deal with coronavirus. Army has directed military hospitals to set up isolation wards and have separate outpatient departments (OPDs) for screening patients who show symptoms of virus.

Along with separate isolation wards, Army has also instructed service hospitals to work in cooperation with local civil medical authorities and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) labs that have been designated to carry out tests.

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Indian Army in its statement said, "In consonance with various visories issued by Government, Indian Army HQ has issued detailed instructions with respect to preparations and emergency response in tackling COVID-19. Military hospitals to establish isolation wards & have separate OPDs for a screening of symptomatic cases to prevent avoidable transmission. Service hospitals will work in synergy with local civil medical authorities and designated ICMR labs."

"Service personnel to be encourd to utilize Shopping Complex facilities within Cantonment /Military Stations and avoid visits to crowded areas like movie halls/ shopping malls etc," it ded.

Indian Army also stated that it will continue with regular health information education and counseling activities at all military stations. 

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Health Minister Harsh Vardhan takes stock of Coronavirus preparedness

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on March 6 visited  Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi to inspect preparedness to tackle Coronavirus outbreak. Harsh Vardhan visited Terminal-3 of international airport to take stock of arrangements me for screening of passengers coming from 78 countries that have reported active coronavirus cases. 

World Health Organization (WHO) said that it h registered 2,241 new confirmed cases of new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide within past 24 hours, with 84 people having died, which brought total death toll to 3,282.  whole number of people, who were diagsed with COVID-19, has reached 95,333, including 80,565 people in China. India has so far confirmed 31 positive Coronavirus cases. COVID-19 was first detected in China's Wuhan in late December and has since spre across world. In late January, WHO declared a global health emergency in light of epidemic.

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(With inputs from ANI)