INTRODUCTION
Coronaviruses are important human and animal pathogens. At the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China. It rapidly spread, resulting in an epidemic throughout China, with sporadic cases reported globally. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the disease COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019 [1]. Previously, this virus was referred to as 2019-nCoV.
Understanding of this novel coronavirus is evolving. Interim guidance has been issued by the World Health Organization and by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [2,3]. Links to these and other related society guidelines are found elsewhere. (See 'Society guideline links' below.)
This topic will discuss the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and prevention of COVID-19. Community-acquired coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus are discussed separately. (See "Coronaviruses" and "Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)" and "Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Virology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology".)
Coronavirus in India: What is happening and what you should know
A fresh travel advisory has been issued urging everyone to refrain from travelling to China, saying intended visitors from China might apply afresh for an Indian visa. Besides, from now on, anyone with a history of travel to China since January 15, 2020, could be quarantined.
ET Online|
Last Updated: Feb 26, 2020, 03.04 PM IST
Agencies
New Coronavirus or COVID-19 has killed 2,592 in China and has infected 77,150. The COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, China's Hubei Province, in late December 2019 and has since spread to more than 20 other countries. Of course, India has not been immune to the deadly epidemic. Here are the latest updates of coronavirus cases in India.
First things first
The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the virus that has killed people in China is a novel strain and not seen before. Common symptoms of the novel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the WHO. The WHO has declared the coronavirus epidemic as a global health emergency.
What's happening in India
How many under surveillance?
As on date, 21,805 passengers have been brought under community surveillance. In addition, 3,97,152 flight passengers and 9,695 travellers at sea ports have been screened
What's new in Kerala?
As many as 305 travellers from the coronavirus affected countries have been identified and 237 are kept under home isolation in Kerala
What is Centre doing?
A fresh travel advisory has been issued urging everyone to refrain from travelling to China, saying intended visitors from China might apply afresh for an Indian visa. Besides, from now on, anyone with a history of travel to China since January 15, 2020, could be quarantined. India has also advised citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Singapore.
Any Indians left in Wuhan?
A total of 650 people were brought back from Wuhan in China on February 1 and 2 in two 747 Boeing Air India aircraft after the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in China.
Are airlines still flying to China?
Air India, other Indian airlines suspend flights to China Air India, IndiGo and other Indian airlines have said they will suspend flights to China over the coronavirus risks. Air India said it is suspending its Delhi-Hong Kong flight from February 8, hours after the authorities there confirmed the death of a patient with the new coronavirus. Earlier, IndiGo suspended all three flights between India and China. Air India suspended its Delhi-Shanghai flight and curtailed the flight operations on the Delhi-Hong Kong route. From February 8, it will be suspending operations on Delhi-Hong Kong route too.
Screening wards in India
In Delhi: Manesar camp is already monitoring those who have come from China. Ram Manohar Lohia, AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals in the capital have also readied isolation facilities.
In Mumbai: Two Mumbai hospitals namely, Kasturba hospital and Pune's Naidu hospital- have been dedicated for suspected patients in the state.
In Karnataka: The state government has placed border districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamarajnagar and Mysuru under novel coronavirus surveillance following three positive cases in neighbouring Kerala. At Mangaluru International Airport, a health unit comprising doctors and assistants have been formed to screen passengers. An isolation ward with ten beds has been set up at the Government Wenlock Hospital to treat patients with the symptoms.
In Manipur: Five centres have been opened in different border towns of the state and at the Imphal International Airport to screen people for coronavirus.
In Mizoram: Facility opened in Mizoram where people entering through India-Myanmar border are being tested at Zokhawthar.
First things first
The coronavirus is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to acute respiratory syndromes, but the virus that has killed people in China is a novel strain and not seen before. Common symptoms of the novel coronavirus strain include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, according to the WHO. The WHO has declared the coronavirus epidemic as a global health emergency.
What's happening in India
- India will screen passengers coming to India from Kathmandu, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia from Monday. Currently, passengers from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and Japan are screened at 21 designated airports in the country for a possible exposure to the novel coronavirus.
- India has imposed "some restrictions" on export of certain medical equipment to China in view of their shortage of supply in the country, and the precautions taken are in accordance with World Health Organisation's (WHO) advisory for the coronavirus outbreak.
- The condition of eight Indians, who were on board the cruise ship off the Japanese coast and undergoing treatment for the deadly coronavirus, is improving as the last batch of healthy passengers was set to disembark the vessel on Friday after the quarantine period ended. A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among the 3,711 people on board the ship.
How many under surveillance?
As on date, 21,805 passengers have been brought under community surveillance. In addition, 3,97,152 flight passengers and 9,695 travellers at sea ports have been screened
What's new in Kerala?
As many as 305 travellers from the coronavirus affected countries have been identified and 237 are kept under home isolation in Kerala
What is Centre doing?
A fresh travel advisory has been issued urging everyone to refrain from travelling to China, saying intended visitors from China might apply afresh for an Indian visa. Besides, from now on, anyone with a history of travel to China since January 15, 2020, could be quarantined. India has also advised citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Singapore.
Any Indians left in Wuhan?
A total of 650 people were brought back from Wuhan in China on February 1 and 2 in two 747 Boeing Air India aircraft after the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in China.
Are airlines still flying to China?
Air India, other Indian airlines suspend flights to China Air India, IndiGo and other Indian airlines have said they will suspend flights to China over the coronavirus risks. Air India said it is suspending its Delhi-Hong Kong flight from February 8, hours after the authorities there confirmed the death of a patient with the new coronavirus. Earlier, IndiGo suspended all three flights between India and China. Air India suspended its Delhi-Shanghai flight and curtailed the flight operations on the Delhi-Hong Kong route. From February 8, it will be suspending operations on Delhi-Hong Kong route too.
Screening wards in India
In Delhi: Manesar camp is already monitoring those who have come from China. Ram Manohar Lohia, AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals in the capital have also readied isolation facilities.
In Mumbai: Two Mumbai hospitals namely, Kasturba hospital and Pune's Naidu hospital- have been dedicated for suspected patients in the state.
In Karnataka: The state government has placed border districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamarajnagar and Mysuru under novel coronavirus surveillance following three positive cases in neighbouring Kerala. At Mangaluru International Airport, a health unit comprising doctors and assistants have been formed to screen passengers. An isolation ward with ten beds has been set up at the Government Wenlock Hospital to treat patients with the symptoms.
In Manipur: Five centres have been opened in different border towns of the state and at the Imphal International Airport to screen people for coronavirus.
In Mizoram: Facility opened in Mizoram where people entering through India-Myanmar border are being tested at Zokhawthar.
