Cabinet Secretary reviews preparedness on Novel Coronavirus
New Delhi/IBNS: The Ministry of Health and Cabinet Secretariat has been constantly reviewing the situation arising out of Novel Coronavirus outbreak in China, an official state informed on Tuesday.
Secretaries in the Ministries of Health, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Defence, I&B and Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority are participating in the reviews.
Screening of passengers with travel history from China has been extended to 13 more airports, taking the total to 20.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is procuring more thermal scanners for faster screening.
Four more labs, besides NIV Pune, have been geared up for testing clinical samples.
Ministry of Shipping has initiated screening at all major ports.
Till Monday, 155 flights have been screened (total cumulative passengers 33552). Samples of 20 passengers have so far been tested by NIV Pune. All were found negative.
The MEA has made a formal request to China for facilitating the evacuation of Indian Nationals from Wuhan.
The Civil Aviation Ministry will make the necessary arrangements for evacuation after approval of the Chinese authorities is received. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Beijing is in contact with the Indian nationals.
On evacuation, these individuals will be kept in quarantine for 14 days. Necessary arrangements in this regard are being made.
Health Ministry is reviewing the preparedness and screening in all the states daily through video conferencing with Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries.
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