ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)
(a) to (d): Government has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and has initiated steps to monitor the situation in India, as follows:
1. Screening of passengers was initiated in the country since 18th January 2020. Initially airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi were covered and subsequently expanded in a total of 21 airports. As per the evolving situation, initially Universal Screening was taken up for all passengers coming via direct flights from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore. Now, directions have also been issued for Universal Screening for all international passengers coming in the country. Signages have been displayed at prominent places in airports and ports, In-flight announcements are being made and self -declaration forms are being filled up by all passengers. As on 4th March, a total of 6,241 flights have been screened covering a total of 6,11,167 passengers. Teams of Specialist doctors were sent to all the airports to ensure effective screening and arrangement for isolation in the attached hospitals. Besides this, screening has been initiated in border crossings. Arrangements have been made for in-flight announcements in incoming flights, filling of self-declaration forms by incoming passengers. Signages have been displayed at prominent locations at ports and airports for guidance and convenience of passengers.
2. Guidelines on Clinical Management of severe respiratory illness (SARI) in suspect / confirmed COVID-19 cases, Surveillance for human infection with COVID-19, Infection Prevention and Control in healthcare facilities, etc. have been placed in public domain on the website of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare at web-link https://mohfw.gov.in/node/4904.
3. Government is issuing Press Releases on regular basis. Information about travel advisory and other pertinent issues is also being shared on social media.
4. On 1st and 2nd February, 2020, a total of 654 passengers were brought from Wuhan, China and kept for 14 days’ quarantine in Army Camp, Manesar and Indo-Tibetan Border Police Camp (ITBP) at Chhawla (Delhi). These evacuees were tested twice, reported negative for COVID-19 and were discharged on 17th and 18th February, 2020.
5. On 27th February, 2020, 112 persons (76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Wuhan, China and kept for mandatory 14 days’ quarantine at Army Camp, Manesar. 124 (119 Indians and 5 foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Japan and kept for mandatory 14 days’ quarantine at ITBP Camp, Chhawla (Delhi). All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID-19.
6. As on 04.03.2020, a total of 6,11,167 incoming passengers of 6,241 flights have been screened. Cumulatively, a total of 28,529 passengers were placed under community surveillance in the Country through Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network. So far, 1,364 passengers were found to be symptomatic and referred to IDSP surveillance network. Till 04.03.2020, 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease have been reported in the Country, out of which three patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital.
Government is monitoring the situation closely.
(e): As per information available on World Health Organisation (WHO) website, WHO is gathering the latest scientific findings and knowledge on coronavirus disease (COVID-19). WHO has also hosted the following information on its website:
I. A pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China was first reported to the WHO Country Office in China on 31 December 2019.
II. WHO is working 24/7 to analyse data, provide advice, coordinate with partners, help countries prepare, increase supplies and manage expert networks.
III. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020.
IV. On 11 February 2020, WHO announced a name for the new coronavirus disease: COVID-19.
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