THRISSUR : As Kerala confirmed India's first Coronavirus, at least 1,471 people have gone under close medical observation for possible exposure. Health Minister KK Shailaja updated the latest statistics at a press conference held in the capital. The student diagnosed with the infection at Thrissur is showing marked improvement in health, the minister told reporters. No one else has tested positive for the virus, she added.
Of the total 1471 being monitored, 1421 persons remain in their homes. The other 50 are admitted into different hospitals in varied districts. Blood samples from 39 people have been send to Pune Virology Institute, of which 15 were parceled on Friday. 24 samples were send in the first batch of which, 18 results were received. 17 proved negative while one, the lone one case so far, showed presence of the virus.
Blood samples from those in hospitals are subject to tests twice. The sample from the infected student has been send once again to Pune, the minister said adding that, all pending results will be received soon. Ministers PC Moideen, C Ravindranath and VS Sunilkumar are camped at Thrissur to oversee medical efforts, KK Shailaja said.
Isolation Ward in Private Hospitals Across Kerala
Isolation Wards have been set up across private hospitals for treating possible infection and preventing its spread, KK Shailaja said. Doctors and nurses are being trained to deal with the virus. Up on arrival of any patients who migh show symptoms of the virus, the medical staff is required to dial the Control Room immediately, the minister said.
Special Camp To House Wuhan Returnees
Meanwhile, an exclusive camp has been arranged in Haryana’s Manser, to house travelers from Wuhan in China. The camp is overseen by Costal Guard officials. Around 366 people from Wuhan are expected to touch down Delhi by special Air India flight dispatched for the purpose. The returnees would include 40 Keralites.
At the airport, each passenger will undergo active checkup after which they will be transported to the camp in Manser. If suspected of the virus a segregation into three will follow for closer examination - the concerned person, those in close contact with the individual and those who have no contact at all. They will then be placed under intense surveillance.
Meanwhile reports in China claim that those down with Coronavirus are not being flown outside the country and rather be treated within the country itself.
