Health Minister and Cabinet Secretary hold review meetings on Novel Coronavirus

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on February 1, 2020, chaired a review meeting on preparedness for management of Novel Coronavirus ( nCoV) with senior officers of the Ministry here.

The Cabinet Secretary also held a high level review meeting on the preparedness for Novel Coronavirus with Secretaries of Health, Civil Aviation, Textiles, Pharmaceutical, DHR, and Dte. General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). He  has held five review meetings so far.

As of February 1, 2020, 52,332 passengers from 326 flights have been screened. Total of 97 symptomatic travellers picked up by under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme ( IDSP) have been referred to the isolation facilities. Altogether 98 samples have been tested of which 97 have been found to be negative. The earlier positive case found in Kerala is being monitored and is stable, according to a PIB release.

In addition, Secretary (HFW) had a video conference to review the process of screening passengers from different countries. Apart from passengers coming from China and Hong Kong, passengers coming on flights from Singapore and Thailand shall also be universally screened at the airports henceforth. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary (Civil Aviation), Health Secretaries from all States for the 21 airports, Airport Public Health Officers from these airports, along with representatives from Bureau of Immigration, Customs Department were present.

The 324 Indian citizens from Wuhan, China, reached India on February 1. Of these, 104 are housed at ITBP Chawla Camp and 220 are at Manesar. They are being effectively monitored.