State is prepared to tackle coronavirus outbreak: Vijaya Baskar

“No coronavirus case has been notified in India, while one person was diagnosed with the virus in Nepal. Thus, the neighbouring countries have been alerted to ensure all safety measures and be prepared if there is any risk of infection. Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Sikkim and West Bengal have been alerted as they are the neighbouring states in the country. Meanwhile, we are continuing to screen passengers at Chennai Airport with the help of Airport Authority of India,” the Health Minister said.

He added that the State Health department officials are also conducting symptomatic screening at the international terminals. “So far, there has been no suspected case of coronavirus in Tamil Nadu. A senior committee is monitoring the preparedness on a day to day basis and even the isolation ward at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital is being checked to keep an eye on our treatment protocol,” the Minister added.

He pointed out that there is no need to panic because of the coronavirus alert as it is a precautionary measure. The minister said that the State has issued advisory and alerted the healthcare officials to ensure action in case of any suspicion. “We may be able to arrest the issue in time,” he said

Health department officials also held a meeting with the government hospital officials to ensure that the preventive measures on coronavirus are being followed by the hospital authorities.