Health Ministry gives update on coronavirus, 9452 persons under community surveillance

Amid the scare of the novel Coronavirus, the Ministry of Health on Sunday took to Twitter and issued an update on the status of virus in India. According to the Ministry, a total of 9452 persons are currently under community surveillance in India. Out of the total 1510 samples that have been tested, three were already reported positive from Kerala. 

Issuing further updates, the health ministry said that the "Universal screening for all flights from Singapore and Thailand besides Hong Kong and China is already ongoing at earmarked aero-bridges. The screening of passengers is now on at all 21 airports, International Seaports and border crossings." Giving the statistics, it said that as of now, 1818 flights and 1,97,192 passengers have been screened so far. 

Ministry of Health issues helpline number

Harsh Vardhan-led Ministry of Health has issued a helpline number for queries on the novel Coronavirus. According to the ministry, a 24*7 Call Centre will be active for responding to queries. The novel coronavirus helpline number is: +91-11-23978046

Read: China warns against 'excessive' use of protective suits amid coronavirus outbreak

About Coronavirus

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Coronaviruses are transmitted between animals and people. WHO stated that "detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans." 

WHO further stated that common signs of the virus include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. Further, in severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure or can even prove to be fatal. 

Speaking about the preventions, WHO said that regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing is necessary.

Read: 15 Kerala students stranded in China's Hubei reach Kochi; no nCoV symptoms, advised to stay at home

Wuhan on lockdown

In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, China has put Wuhan and Huanggang under a lockdown, suspending public transport in and out of the city, stated international reports. The virus which was first reported to the World Health Organization on December 31 is currently under investigation by scientists to understand the destructive potential of the new virus, known as 2019-nCoV, as per reports. Currently, the virus has killed as many as 80 people in China until now.

Read: Coronavirus: DGCA restricts entry of foreigners in India who visited China post Jan 14

Read: Coronavirus temporarily named NCP by China's National Health Commission