Odisha Govt swings into action to tackle Coronavirus

Bhubaneswar: After three persons in the country were hospitalized with symptoms of Coronavirus following their return from China, the Odisha Government has swung into action to prevent spreading of the virus in the state.

A day after the state Government issued toll-free numbers  to facilitate people inform about suspected cases of Coronavirus infection,  doctors and medical staff from Capital Hospital here conducted screening of passengers at Biju Patnaik International Airport today. Passengers arriving at the airport were checked for symptoms of the virus .

The screening was done after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a travel advisory to 19 airports on Friday. Moreover, the Ministry has also issued a self reporting form for passengers arriving at airports. The form will be available at immigration counter at the airports. Besides, Odisha Public Health Director Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty wrote a letter to the airport director asking the authorities to closely monitor the situation and create facilities for management.

At a Press meet, Health Secretary Nikunj Bihari Dhal said special wards have been set up at four hospitals, including   SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla as part of precautionary measures. “There is nothing to panic. Passengers arriving at Bhubaneswar Airport from  Malaysia are being examined. A Control Room has also been opened to monitor the situation,” said Dhal.