All kept at ITBP facility tested negative for coronavirus: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday (February 13) said all 402 people kept in ITBP quarantine facility have tested negative and their condition is stable.

While addressing the press conference, he said, “Till date, 2,51,447 airport passengers have been screened. The 645 Indians evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city have all tested negative for the virus and discharge guidelines are being issued. People at 21 airports are being screened for coronavirus. Screening also being done at 12 major and 65 minor ports.”

A meeting of high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) to review the current status and actions for prevention and management of Novel Coronavirus was held in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was also present along with the other ministers.

Stressing that all the states have been informed about the guidelines and precautionary measures to be taken, he said, “Three persons who tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala are now stable. We are monitoring the 3 cases in India very minutely. We have traced their contact history.”

Talking about the Ship Diamond Princess (of Japan) that has been quarantined, he said two Indian crew members on board were tested positive. However, the Ministry of External Affairs were keeping a close watch on it.

Requesting people not panic, he said, “With the help of the Ministry of External Affairs we are sending some medical supplies, equipment and other materials to China as a goodwill measure. We are really grateful that everybody is contributing. We are doing everything.”

On Thursday morning, Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya has briefed me that his ministry has already stocked medicines and other necessary requirements if any untoward incident like China occurs here.

Meanwhile, the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said, India’s seafood exports to China are not likely tohave any adverse impact of coronavirus, the deadly virus, that has mostly hit Wuhan province of the East Asian country.

“Seafood exports to China have increased substantially in the current financial year as compared to the same period last year. In April-December 2019, the total exports stood at 2,42,218 tonnes valued at USD 1,032 million as against 1,65,950 tonnes valued at USD 589 million in the same period last year, said MPEDA chairman KS Srinivas.