Bhubaneswar: Airport officials with medical staff screened for possible cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here, today.
Passengers being screened are those who might have passed through China, particularly through Wuhan city, Hubei province during the last 14 days and have developed symptoms of acute onset of fever, cough, runny nose and shortness of breath, said Airport director VV Rao.
He also said they are following guidelines issued by the Health Department in wake of nCoV scare and that it is being undertaken in coordination with the State government.
Airport director added, “We also request passengers to immediately report to Airport officials if they have any of the mentioned symptoms. The medical team from Capital Hospital will then take over the medical examination”
The International Terminal also has a kiosk with free-of-charge masks for passengers and a list of directions for passengers to follow in case they develop the symptoms. It says that if one develops any one of the symptoms in 28 days after their visit, then they must immediately report to the nearest hospital.
A meeting is being held today at the Lok Seva Bhawan here which will be attended by Mission Director of National Health Mission, Special Secretary (PH), DPH, DMET, DHS, Director SIHFW, Senior RD, Director RMRC, Director Capital Hospital, and Director Bhubaneswar Airport to discuss possible measures to take.
A suspected case of nCoV has been reported in Rajasthan, following which the patient has been kept in isolation. The deadly virus which originated in China sparked worldwide concerns with 80 deaths and nearly 2,000 confirmed cases. China, meanwhile, extended its biggest national holiday to buy time in the fight against the viral epidemic, as the death toll spiked to 80 despite unprecedented quarantine measures and travel lockdowns.