Question : Inadequacies in Early Prevention of COVID

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether cases of Corona virus infections commenced with the arrival of 23 persons from Italy on 21 February in the country as 17 of them were found infected, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether studies by NIE at ICMR Chennai and NIV situated in Pune have found that Corona virus attack on these Italian citizens was more aggressive with the attack rate of 65.40;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether medical examination protocols laid down by the Government at airports of Italy and India were unable to detect Covid infections among these Italian passengers, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps/measures proposed to be taken by the Government to avoid such proliferation in future?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) The first case of Coronavirus was reported on 30th January 2020 from Kerala in a traveler from Wuhan, China. The cohort of Italian tourists arrived on 21st February 2020. Out of 17 persons who were found positive, nine were symptomatic while eight were asymptomatic.
(b) The study undertaken by NIE, Chennai and NIV, Pune reconfirmed higher rates of transmission among close contacts. By March 3, 2020, 17 of the 26 (attack rate: 65.4%) had become positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
(c) Government of India had instituted thermal screening of international passengers in a graded way since 18th January, 2020. Starting with screening for travelers from China and Hong Kong at three airports in January, 2020, screening was extended to include Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran and Italy on 26th February, 2020 at 21 International airports. Italy was not under the point of entry screening on 21st February 2020 – the date of arrival of the Italian group.
(d) Universal screening of all passengers were started on 4th March 2020 and continued till such time the flights were suspended on 23rd March 2020. The screening at airports have recommenced with Vande Bharat mission fights and the transport bubble arrangement with mutually consulting countries.