India reviews status and preparedness of Coronavirus; Directs officials to scale up for more assistance

New Delhi, March 16 : India on Sunday reviewed the status and preparedness of the States and Union Territories regarding prevention, containment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and directed the officials to scale up the capacity for more helplines to assist in case any queries rise due to COVID-19.

 

A meeting held under his chairmanship discussed the quarantine facilities, isolation wards, adequacy of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), masks, testing kits and more. Dr Harsh Vardhan also advised to take care of the hygiene and cleanliness in the hospitals and adhere to all laid down protocols for containment and management of Coronavirus.

After reviewing the steps taken by various States for social distancing and measures taken for avoiding non-essential travel and mass gatherings, the Health Minister discussed the further measures to be taken for strengthening capacities of the states, mass awareness among the people for prevention through social distancing, work-from-home. In addition, the government to evacuate Indian citizens from Coronavirus affected countries, an Air India flight from Milan, Italy arrived in Delhi on Sunday morning carrying 218 evacuees who are being quarantined at the ITBP camp at Chhawla.

The third batch of 236 evacuees from Iran had arrived yesterday and being quarantined at the Army facility in Jaisalmer. However, they have already been tested prior to their departure from Iran who are reported to be asymptomatic at present. A total of 265 passengers coming from COVID-19 affected countries have been quarantined at Trivandrum, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

 

According to the latest reports, India's confirmed cases has risen up to 112, and two deaths due to COVID-19. On the other hand, the total number of patients now free of COVID-19 is 13. However, the Buldana patient whose sample was taken and who died yesterday had tested negative for COVID-19.