Coronavirus Scare: Health Secy Reviews Arrangements At Bhubaneswar Airport, Capital Hospital

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health Secretary N B Dhal on Sunday had a meeting with medical, public health experts and Biju Patnaik International airport authorities here to review the arrangements for screening for a possible exposure to novel coronavirus (nCoV), isolation and treatment.

The outbreak has so far claimed 56 lives in China. In India too, over 100 people have been kept under observation in Kerala and Maharashtra.

Dhal also visited the State Control Room and Capital Hospital here to inspect the arrangements being made to tackle this problem. 

Meanwhile, the Health Department has urged all citizens to observe personal hygiene.

The Odisha government had earlier issued an advisory stating that persons with travel history to China during last one month and flu-like symptoms must use mask and report to nearest hospital for screening.

Also Read: Odisha Issues Advisory For Precautionary Measures Against Coronavirus

The SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, is fully equipped to treat persons diagnosed to have been infected by the virus, it said, adding that SCB, VSS Medical College and Hospital and Capital Hospital will function as nodal centres for isolation and treatment of such cases. 

Meanwhile, special arrangement has been made at Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda, to screen the air passengers arriving at the airport.

Veer Surendra Sai Airport Director Sudesh Kumar Chauhan said a cabin in the arrival hall of the airport will function as ‘Screening Centre’. It will be managed by the district hospital authorities, he added.