GoM formed as 3rd CoV case confirmed

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed a group of ministers (GoM) to review preparedness for novel coronavirus (n-CoV) containment in the country as third case was confirmed today. All three positive cases are from Kerala and all have recently travelled to China.

The GoM, comprising Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, MoS, Home, Kiren Rijiju and MoS, Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya, held its first meeting today to take stock of the status.

The government said 338 suspected samples had so far been tested for n-CoV infection and 335 had been found negative. Army officials reported that all five samples taken from people housed at Manesar’s quarantine facility were negative.

“Three patients in Kerala are currently in isolation and stable and are being closely monitored. Their contact tracing is also being done,” sources said.

As of today 70 samples are under testing for n-CoV with India screening 72,353 passengers from 593 flights. Screening is ongoing at 21 airports, international seaports and border crossings, particularly with Nepal which has reported some positive cases.

The GoM reiterated the travel advisory for China asking people to refrain from going there. The Health Ministry said those who have returned from China since January 15 could be quarantined and some travellers had self reported at the government helpline. The government is continuing to universally screen passengers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. It suspended e-visa travel for Chinese passport holders yesterday.

“Around 2,815 people are presently under community surveillance in 29 states and UTs,” a government statement said.

Meanwhile, the WHO put out global data on the disease saying there are 17,238 confirmed cases in China and 361 deaths. Outside mainland China, there are 151 confirmed cases in 23 countries and one death in Philippines.

In a separate meeting, PM’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra also reviewed the situation and arrangements for 645 Indian nationals evacuated from China.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Principal Adviser to PM PK Sinha, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, a Chinese military delegation is attending the DefExpo at Lucknow with Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar saying, “All persons coming in are being screened mandatorily.”