Adequate arrangements in place to deal with coronavirus: Chhattisgarh government

Chhattisgarh is ready to deal with any situation that may arise due to coronavirus, which is spreading speedily in many parts of the world. Keeping in view the rising cases of coronavirus in China, the Chhattisgarh government has made all necessary arrangements for any eventuality concerning the deadly virus.

Surguja (Chhattisgarh):A rapidly spreading viral, Coronavirus (CoV) that has killed 81 people so far and spread to 11 countries alerted Indian health authorities to prepare for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Wuhan, the epicentre of deadly SARS-like coronavirus outbreak that has already killed more than 50 people in China and infected more than thousands.

Health authorities around the world are taking action to prevent a global pandemic as the virus continues to spread, with cases reported in Australia, France, the United States and seven Asian countries besides China.

India has instructed the screening of travellers from China at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata via thermal scanners.

The Chhattisgarh Health Department on Tuesday issued an alert against the deadly Novel Coronavirus after one woman was found suspected from the virulent virus. The woman is kept under observation in a hospital.

Speaking to media persons here, Health Minister of Chhattisgarh T S Singh Deo said there was nothing to worry but precautions must be taken.

"People coming from China should take precautions. Coronavirus would not affect our state directly and Government of India is taking precautionary measures by scanning tourist from the affected areas in China and thermal screening device checks passengers arriving in India from China in view of the outbreak of Novel coronavirus (CoV) in China at many airports in India."

Deo further said, "In case the state gets people affected by the coronavirus, arrangements have been made to deal with the situation."

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

The viruses can also spread by touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands, the CDC said.

In pregnant women, the more severe versions of MERS and SARS coronaviruses can be serious. According to a case study published in 2014 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, a woman infected with MERS had a stillbirth.

Till date, there is no vaccine to protect against this family of viruses.

According to the WHO, the CoV is a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

It said standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.

WHO also advises that people should avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)