Coronavirus: India offers to test samples for other Southeast Asian nations

In a bid to support neighbouring countries battling against dely Coronavirus, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has offered to test samples of virus (nCoV) for or Souast Asian countries.

"We are providing support to or countries in tackling challenge posed by coronavirus. Indian Council of Medical Research has offered to test samples for or Souast Asian countries," Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Besides this, Harsh Vardhan also informed Upper House that government has extended technical assistance to Bhutan in fighting danger posed due to coronavirus outbreak. 

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"Testing of samples from Maldives has alrey been undertaken. Request from Afghanistan for sample testing has been agreed too.

We've agreed to provide technical assistance to Bhutan in managing this infectious disease and screening of passengers," said Harsh Vardhan.

India has confirmed three positive cases of coronavirus from Kerala while virus has infected nearly 20,000 people globally.

Coronavirus, which originated in China's Wuhan city in December, last year, has since n killed over 636 people in China alone, while re have been confirmed cases of epidemic in several countries across world.

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Kerala lifts 'state disaster' status to Coronavirus

Health Minister of Kerala KK Shailaja anunced that on Friday, February 7,  government has withdrawn 'state disaster' status given to vel Coronavirus. She, however, informed that statewide alert will continue, and health guidelines have to be followed. This decision was taken after 67 out of 72 restress have tested negative for disease. 

Speaking to media KK Shailaja said, “ state disaster status was declared after 72 returnees were in Kerala from Wuhan in China of which three tested positive. About 67 have tested negative. test results show that close contacts of all those three confirmed cases are negative.”

She furr informed that second case of n-coronavirus has been tested negative in second round of tests, however, National Institute of Virology in Pune has to confirm report. 

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(With ANI inputs)

(Photo: PTI)