Coronavirus scare: Health Minister Vardhan calls on PMO to discuss preventive measures

Amidst dely outbreak of coronavirus, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday held a meeting with  officials at Prime Minister's office to discuss country's preventive manment system to tackle a possible outbreak in India.  Health Ministry revealed that body in India has been tested positive for infectious disease so far. Eleven people, seven in Kerala, two in Mumbai and one each in Bengaluru and Hyderab who h come from China in recent days were kept under observation in hospitals to check for possible exposure to dely vel coronavirus. Amongst 11, four have been tested negative.

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"As on January 24, as many as 20,844 passengers from 96 flights have been screened for vel Coronavirus symptoms. Today, 4,082 passengers were screened in 19 flights. nCoV case has been detected in country so far. However, three persons have been put under observation," Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.

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Samples rey to be tested

Health Ministry also revealed that National Institute of Virology along with or leing laboratories in country were rey to test nCoV samples if such a situation was to occur. "National Institute of Virology, Pune, is fully geared up to test samples of nCoV and ten or laboratories under Indian Council of Medical Research's Viral Research and Diagstics Laboratories network are also equipped to test such samples if a need arises," said a statement of Health Ministry. 

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Over 20,000 passengers screened

India has intensified measures to check passengers for coronavirus.  Civil Aviation Ministry has directed seven international airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata to make arrangements for screening of passengers arriving from China in wake of outbreak. Government of India informed that as of January 24, 20,844 passengers from 96 flights have been screened for coronavirus symptoms including 4,082 screened in 19 flights on Friday.

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(With ncy Inputs)