Odisha Prepared To Tackle Coronavirus: State Health Secretary

Bhubaneswar: Amid coronavirus scare, Union Health Secretary reviewed preparedness to deal with the situation with health secretaries of all the States through video conferencing today.

Attending the review meeting, Odisha Health Secretary Nikunja Bihari Dhal informed the Centre that the State government is all prepared to deal with the situation.

“Novel Coronavirus which started in the city of Wuhan in China has not been declared as global crisis so far. About 80 people have died so far while several confirmed cases have been detected in China and other countries,” Dhal said while addressing a presser after the review meeting.

“Three confirmed cases were detected in Malaysia. In Odisha we are alert because we have direct flight connection with Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia. Besides, there is one confirmed case in Nepal. So the Centre has asked bordering states like West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to take measures to ensure that the virus does not spread from Nepal,” Dhal added.

As precautionary measure, a health team comprising doctors from Capital Hospital has been deployed at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) for screening of passengers arriving at the airport from other areas.

“If any passenger is found with symptoms like runny nose, cough and sore throat, the airline officials will immediately intimate the team of doctors. The doctors will check the concerned passenger in an isolation room which we have kept ready. Subsequently, the doctors will refer the patient to Capital Hospital. Several special wards have been opened across Odisha for coronavirus patient. For us, we have to refer the patients to Capital Hospital,” BPIA director VV Rao said.

According to sources, special coronavirus wards have been opened at several medical colleges and hospitals in the State. Besides, advisory has been issued to vigil on passengers at airports, railway stations and ports in the State.

“A special ward with eight ICUs and 40 beds has been opened at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. A professor and two doctors from pulmonary department have been appointed in the ward,” informed SCB emergency officer Bhubanananda Maharana.

https://youtu.be/_-QFmrZh1MY

So far the deadly coronavirus has claimed 80 lives in China while over 2700 cases of affliction have been confirmed in 15 countries. The Indian embassy in Beijing is monitoring whether any Indian has been affected by the virus. About 700 Indian students studying in various universities of Beijing have been cautioned over it.

A girl from Bihar who recently returned from China was admitted to ICU of a local hospital in Chapra after she showed symptoms similar to that of coronavirus. She has been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).