New Delhi, January 24: Amid the widespread outbreak of coronavirus in China, more than 20,000 passengers from 96 flights have screened for symptoms of the viral disease in India. Till January 24, no positive case has been detected. Initially, the authorities have put four people - two from Mumbai and one each from Hyderabad and Bangaluru -under observation. All Samples of all these people were tested negative. One of the Mumbai suspect was tested positive for Rhinovirus, - routine common cold virus. Coronavirus Spreads Beyond China, More to The East: Mapping The SARS-Like Virus Amid Casualties in South Korea, Japan, Thailand.

The Union Ministry of Health in a statement said, “As on January 24, 20,844 passengers from 96 flights have been screened for Novel coronavirus symptoms. Today, 4082 passengers were screened in 19 flights. No case detected in the country so far.  The Ministry further added, “ICMR-NIV Pune has informed that 4 samples (2 from Mumbai, 1 each from Bengaluru and Hyderabad) have tested negative for coronavirus. One of the Mumbai patients has tested positive for Rhinovirus, one of the routine common cold viruses..” Coronavirus Scare in India: Two Persons in Mumbai, Back From China, Suspected to be Infected With Virus.

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Meanwhile, reports also claimed that two more people have been put under observation in Kerala and one more in Mumbai. However, there is no official confirmation from the ministry about the coronavirus suspects in Kerala. The government also issued an advisory to addition 12 airports besides the seven airports which were earlier directed by the Civil Aviation Ministry to screen passengers coming from China.

According to a report published in CNN News18, in Mumbai, three residents were admitted to the Kasturba Hospital in Chinchpokli for possible exposure to the infection. Out of these three people, two came from China, while the third person returned from Hong Kong.

Earlier in the day, India’s top medical institute, AIIMS, assured that it has all the arrangements to deal with the viral disease. Dr Randeep Guleria of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, “We are equipped to handle patients affected by coronavirus. AIIMS has an isolation ward. All precautionary measures also in place for healthcare workers such as masks and hand sanitizers so that infection does not spread.”

The viral disease has claimed 26 lives in China, while more than 800 people are affected. The deadly virus has also spread outside of China, mainly in the eastern region, affecting neighbouring countries, including South Korea, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In the United Nations also, one man was diagnosed with the virus.

The novel coronavirus, like other coronaviruses, has come from animals. The viral disease causes respiratory infections in Humans. Till now, no vaccines or antiviral drugs have been developed to contain the virus.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 24, 2020 10:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).