New Delhi: Four samples from Odisha, which were sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for novel coronavirus, tested negative on Monday, while one person's result is awaited.
"Four samples from #Odisha sent to NIV, Pune found negative. All the Collectors have been asked to carry out awareness drive in their districts. In case of any suspected case, please contact @HFWOdisha helpline number: 0674-2390466/9439994857," the Press Information Bureau tweeted on Monday.
According to the reports, all samples were sent from the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar to NIV Pune. The Centre has been declared as nodal for coronavirus testing. While four samples have been tested negative, the sample report of another suspected patient who was admitted to SCB Medical and Hospital in Cuttack is yet to arrive.
All of them had a travel history in China. Meanwhile, two more suspected people have been kept in the isolation ward in a hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Though the situation over coronavirus is not worrisome in Odisha, a preparatory meeting was held at the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) in Bhubaneswar today to tackle any possible emergency. The representatives of private as well as government hospitals who attended the meeting have been asked to remain alert. Laboratory technicians have been asked to collect samples from suspected patients with utmost care.
"Our duty is to coordinate whether the samples collected from suspected patients are reaching the lab and tested on time. We ensure that the samples are collected in the right way, no staff is exposed to the risk and the samples get tested immediately," said Director of RMRC, Sanghamitra Pati.
As a precautionary measure amid the coronavirus outbreak, screening for incoming passengers is being conducted at Biju Patnaik International Airport to ensure that the deadly virus does not spread to the State. Today, a team of doctors from the Capital Hospital conducted the screening of 60 passengers who arrived at the city airport from Kuala Lumpur.
On Monday, the number of deaths in China rose to 361, with 17,205 confirmed cases and 475 discharged from hospital, according to the National Health Commission.
More than 1,52,700 people are under observation, among which there are a total of 21,558 suspected cases.
(With inputs from IANS)