nCoV: 56 of 60 people quarantined in Maharashtra so far test negative

 Fifty-six of 60 people, who have been quarantined in Maharashtra so far for suspected exposure to vel coronavirus, have tested negative, with 50 of m being discharged from hospitals, a state government official said on Sunday.

A person who h alighted from a Filipi cruise vessel in Mumbai and was isolated after he complained of cough and fever has also tested negative for virus, official said, ding that ship has w reached Porbandar in neighbouring Gujarat.

"Of 60 people who were kept in isolation wards, 56 have tested negative and 50 of m have been discharged. test results of or four are yet to arrive and is expected in next two days. All samples were tested at Pune's National Institute of Virology," he said.

A Maharashtra government release said 36,028 people have undergone screening at Mumbai international airport since January 18. It said 216 people have returned to Maharashtra from Covid-19 affected areas in China, of which 137 have completed ir 14-day follow up period.

Those arriving from China and or areas affected by virus are being kept under observation for a period of 14 days, release said. Maharashtra, where positive case for virus has been reported so far, has set up 39 isolation compartments comprising 361 beds.

death toll in China from epidemic has climbed to 1,665 on Saturday after 142 more people died, mostly in worst-hit Hubei Province, and confirmed cases jumped to 68,500.