The State health department in Hyderabad has issued strict orders to private and corporate hospitals to send any suspected case of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) to the three nodal hospitals (Gandhi Hospital, Fever Hospital and Chest Hospital) only and not admit these patient in their hospitals.

On Tuesday, three new suspected cases for the novel coronavirus were reported and are currently at the Fever Hospital and one more suspected patient is at the Gandhi Hospital. Vijay Kumar, nodal officer for coronavirus said that out of the total 51 suspected cases for nCoV, 21 were found to be negative for nCoV where as reports for remaining four are still awaited. The other 26 people are asymptomatic and kept in isolation.

The state government had issued orders to district collectors to initiate coronavirus control rooms at the district levels and also initiate control measures and efforts to bring awareness about the spreading virus. The state government has also issued advisories requesting people to refrain from travelling to China and the affected countries.

In a video conference which was held by the central health ministry, it was decided that all suspected cases from Andhra Pradesh will be tested at the ICMR lab at Gandhi Medical College. A senior official from the state health department, said that the centre has directed the formation of rapid response teams in all districts. The action of these teams will be to control the accidental spread of situation any virus, like novel coronavirus or ebola. Anyone suspected with symptoms of coronavirus should be immediately sent to Gandhi Hospital or Fever Hospital. People who have arrived from affected countries should also remain under strict home isolation for almost 28 days.

Due to the fear of spreading coronavirus, Vaada Foundation, an NGO, has written a letter to the traffic police to stop breathalyzer tests for drunken driving checking.

Source: ET Healthworld