High alert in Kovai after virus case in Kerala

Quarantine wards have been readied at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) and medicines were stocked up to face any emergency. CMCH Dean B Asokan said that paediatric male and female quarantine wards, each with four beds, have been kept ready in the hospital.

“In addition to this, another 15-bedded ward with ICU quarantine has been readied to treat persons with the viral infection. Also, we have kept adequate stock of the medicine for treatment,” he said.  

Further, Asokan said that awareness is being created among the doctors on the coronavirus, its symptoms and diagnostic methods. “Doctors of private hospitals were also reached out through awareness programmes,” he added.

Though coronavirus has been reported in Kerala, the Health Department doesn’t see any immediate need to take up screening activity on the state borders.

“Only those who come in contact with an affected person will contract the virus. Now that the corona-infected person in Kerala has been quarantined and is under surveillance there, there is no chance for its spreading to Tamil Nadu,” said G Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Director of Health Services.

Stating that so far there has been no incidence of coronavirus infection in Coimbatore, the official said that eight persons, who returned from China continue to be under observation. “They do not come from the affected city in China and they are now in good health,” he said.

Doctors said that symptoms for coronavirus include fever, body pain, running nose, caught and breathlessness in worst cases. As a general precaution, people should avoid visiting crowded places or wear masks and do frequent hand washing, said Asokan.