Port Blair, Feb.10: World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the recent novel Corona Virus (2019-nCoV) epidemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Till date it has affected 24 countries with majority of the cases found in China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong. Worldwide, a total of 40216 cases and 907 deaths have been reported so far. All deaths are from China except 1 death in Philippines. In India, a total of 3 cases have come positive so far. All the three cases are from Kerala and recovered from disease.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, 6 persons were put under home observation, of which, 4 are foreigners, who had a history of travel to Beijing in hopping flight, all are healthy and moved out of Andaman under intimation to the next port of entry. Two more students, who came from Chengdu Medical College of Shuwan Province in China were put on home isolation and one student been made free from isolation after 14 days of isolation. One student is still under home isolation till 14th of February i.e. till completion of 14 days from the day of leaving China.
In this context, A&N Islands has strengthened the Surveillance and Control measures against the disease. State Helpline 03192-232102 is functional. Further, Self Declaration forms, for the passengers with travel history from China after 15th January are made available and five beds are kept in isolation in G.B. Pant Hospital, Port Blair. Personal Protection equipments and other logistic are available with the Health Department in sufficient quantity.
A&N Administration is doing wide publicity regarding the activities being conducted for the active surveillance of novel Corona virus. Newspapers, radio and social media are used for wide publicity. Health workers are sensitized. Hotel associations, tour operators are sensitized and are regular in touch with Health Department.
In the wake of the present nCoV outbreak, the general public is advised to follow the coughing and sneezing etiquette by covering the nose and mouth using handkerchief/towel, do frequent hand washing with soap and water. Those who have travelled recently from the corona affected countries should inform at National/State helpline number and remain under strict home isolation for 14 days from the date of arrival in India, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. Those who have travelled Wuhan-China since 15thJanuary 2020 onwards must get themselves tested for nCoV at Government designated centers.
