Cabinet Secretary reviews the preventive measures on “Novel Coronavirus” outbreak

Newsmantra — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 06:00:54 +0000

Cabinet Secretary reviewed the situation arising out of “Novel Coronavirus” outbreak in China.
Secretaries in the Ministries of Health, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Labour, Defence, I&B and Member-Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority, DG (Armed Forces Medical Services) attended the Meeting.
Cabinet Secretary was informed that till yesterday 137 flights have been screened (total cumulative passengers 29707).
Samples of 12 passengers were referred to NIV Pune. No positive case has been reported so far.
Following actions are being taken:
Ministry of Civil Aviation
(i) issue of instruction to airlines for managing and notifying anybody reporting illness on all flights with direct or indirect connectivity to China.
(ii) facilitate in-flight announcements and
(iii) distribution of health cards to all flights with direct or indirect connectivity to China.
Ministry of Home Affairs
To ensure that integrated check posts initiate screening of visitors across Nepal border. States have been requested to provide health staff for these check posts. SSB/ BSF/Immigration officers manning integrated check posts have been sensitized.
Ministry of Shipping
To initiate entry screening at the International ports having traffic from China.
Health Ministry also held a review meeting earlier today with Chief Secretaries to review the preparedness and screening in 5 states having border with Nepal, in addition to Pr. Secretaries (Health) of other states. They have been asked to ensure that community level monitoring of passengers is undertaken through health staff.
It was decided that steps may be taken to prepare for possible evacuation of Indian nationals in Wuhan. Accordingly, Ministry of External Affairs will make a request to the Chinese authorities.
Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health will make arrangements for transport and quarantine facilities respectively.

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Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China

Newsmantra — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:59:44 +0000

As per WHO update (as of 11th January, 2020) in all, 41 cases of Novel Coronavirus have been reported so far from China [including one death (further update is awaited)]. As per WHO risk assessment, the risk for global spread, as of now, remains low.

Various measures have been initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as a matter of abundant precaution.

1. Secretary (H) is constantly reviewing the evolving scenario, developments, and preparedness and response measures being undertaken by the Ministry.

2. Spl. Secretary (H) took a review meeting on 20th January, 2020 in the context of spurt in cases reported by China and the public health measures that need to be scaled up.

3. MoHFW has written to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to facilitate thermal screening at the International airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin for the airlines to follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines for managing and notifying anybody reporting illness on flights originating from China and disembarking in India. MoCA has instructed for in-flight announcements for India bound flights.

4. MoHFW has also written to Ministry of External Affairs to provide details of travelers from Wuhan city who have sought visa to travel to India, since 31stDecember, 2019 and to counsel the applicants while issuing visa. They have also been requested to provide daily details. As for E-visa issue Ministry of Home Affairs is being approached.

5. Ministry of External Affairs has also been requested to disseminate travel advisory (in local languages) to Indian Embassies in China and adjoining countries for wider circulation and passenger information.

6. Secretary (H) has also written to the States/UTs to review their preparedness, identify gaps and strengthen core capacities in the area of surveillance, laboratory support infection prevention & control, logistics, risk communication and in particular, hospital preparedness in terms of isolation and ventilator management of critically ill patients of severe acute respiratory illness (SARI).

7. The Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) under the Chairmanship of DGHS has met twice (on 8th and 15th January, 2020) to assess the risk and review the preparedness and response mechanisms to manage any case that might get imported to India. WHO, being represented in the JMG is providing Ministry with regular updates and technical information.

8. A travel advisory has been issued and put up on Ministry’s website and also on the Twitter handle for wider circulation.

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Cabinet Secretary reviews the preventive measures on “Novel Coronavirus” outbreak

Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China