Chandigarh, January 28: No confirmed case of Corona Virus has been reported in Punjab so far. Currently 16 passengers with travel history to China have been identified.
Only one person is having symptoms and is admitted at PGI Chandigarh, (one patient from Chandigarh is admitted in Fortis hospital, Mohali), while remaining 15 persons are asymptomatic and Department Of Health is monitoring their health regularly and is in touch with all persons.
The preparedness of all the districts and Govt Medical Colleges was reviewed by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu today from State headquarter for the ongoing alert for Novel Corona Virus.
The Minister said that all the districts have been instructed to ensure establishment of isolation ward in case a suspected case is reported and all the medical colleges have been instructed to ensure set up of wards with ventilators and essential arrangements for screening and sample collection of suspected cases.
Balbir Singh Sidhu divulged that currently China is main affected country and cases of Corona Virus have also been reported from few other countries. He said that Punjab has initiated thermal screening of the passengers arriving at Raja Sansi Airport Amritsar in order to check any person having travel history to china or other affected countries.
Teams of doctors and paramedical staff have been put on round the clock duties and one ambulance has been stationed in case of any emergency.
“Although Mohali Airport doesn’t have direct flights from China and other affected countries, but Govt of Punjab has initiated one health check point at Mohali Airport. This dedicated team has today screened the persons trevelling from the Sharja and no any such suspected case found from them,” he said.
The Minister further said that it is very important for public to understand that any person who has travelled to China and has arrived in India from January, 1st 2020 should report to nearest Govt Hospital or call at helpline number of 104 so that Department of Health could trace and take necessary remedial measures.
He also said that any person who has travelled to China and is not having any symptoms of fever, respiratory discomfort will be advised to isolate himself at home and self report.
However, if a person who has travelled to China or other affected countries and having symptoms like acute onset of fever, cough & shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing appears, one must visit the nearest district hospital for treatment.
All persons having symptoms should cover mouth and nose with a mask or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
He said that any nonessential travel to China should be avoided till the situation normalizes.He said that Medical check post at Atari Border and Dera Baba Nanak at Gurdaspur has also been created for awareness and self declaration of the persons having any travel history to China and having symptoms.
The Minister said that Department of Health & Family Welfare have made adequate arrangement like Isolation wards, sample collection from the suspected patients & its transportation to NIV (National Institute of Virology) Pune in collaboration with Air port Authorities.
He said that control rooms have been set up at State level and district level and Rapid Response Teams have been identified and notified at State and District level.
The Helpline number 104 has also been activated for information regarding Corona Virus. Any citizen can contact on this number 24X7 for any information related to the Corona Virus disease.
