Coronavirus cases rise to 81 in India

The number of novel coronavirus cases on Friday rose to 81, which includes a 76-year-old man who died in Karnataka, the Health Ministry officials said while cautioning against panicking, saying the situation so far is “not a health emergency”.

Addressing reporters, Joint Secretary in the Ministry ofHealth Lav Aggarwal said besides three patients from Kerala who were dischargedlast month following recovery, seven more coronavirus infected patients havebeen cured and they will be discharged soon.

   

“The remaining 71 are clinically stable,” he said.

The 81 figure also include 16 Italians and one Canadian.

On invocation of Epidemic Act by the Centre, Aggarwalsaid,”It is not a health emergency.”

With the World Health Organisation declaring novelcoronavirus a pandemic, Aggarwal said that 4,000 people who had come in contactwith the 81 positive cases have been identified through contract tracing andwere being tracked while 42,000 people across the country are under communitysurveillance.

He said all essential facilities like communitysurveillance, quarantine, isolation wards, adequate PPEs, trained manpower,rapid response teams are being strengthened further in all states and UTs.

He informed so far, 1,031 persons including 48 nationals havebeen evacuated from countries such as Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, US,Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru.

“Till date, 890 evacuees from COVID-19 affectedcountries, have been discharged after 14 days isolation and having testednegative as per protocols,” Aggarwal said.

A special flight operated by Indian Air Force brought back58 passengers from Iran on March 10. India also facilitated Mahan Air flight tobring back people from Iran, and Friday one flight with 44 passengers haslanded in Mumbai.

These passengers are being kept in quarantine at the IndianNavy facility in Mumbai.In case of any signs/ symptoms like fever, drycough, difficulty in breathing etc one may visit a doctor or call theministry’s 24X7 helpline – 011-23978046. 

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