India Reports Second Positive Coronavirus Case in Kerala

India recorded its second case of novel coronavirus in Kerala today. An Indian student from Wuhan University tested positive today, Kerala health minister KK Shailaja confirmed. The patient’s condition is stable; meanwhile, she is being closely monitored and is in isolation, officials added.

The first coronavirus positive case was also an Indian student from Wuhan University which recently visited India for a casual visit to her family.

Wuhan, the capital of central China’s Hubei province, is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak. Almost 24 cases are reported across the globe, including India, Japan, and Taiwan. China has reached a count of approximately 304 deaths, as of Saturday. The country also confirmed around 2500 new confirmed positive cases on Saturday, bringing the total number to 14,380.

Earlier this week, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health issue. The global health organization has also asked to governments across the world to prepare for “domestic outbreak control” in case of any emergencies. Although nearly 120 cases have been reported in a number of countries, of which 2 are reported in India so far.

Withstanding the global outbreak, the Indian central government asked all the hospitals across the country to prepare isolation wards. Health authorities are constantly screening all passengers coming from China and Hong Kong at over 21 airports. Apart from the passengers, immigration and other staff members at airports have been sensitized and 24 hour ambulance services are on standby.

“Countries need to be prepared for possible importation in order to identify cases as early as possible and in order to be ready for a domestic outbreak control, if need  arises,” said WHO official.

Indian government evacuated more than 500 Indians from China this week as the outbreak continues to spread. The Indian Army has set up a quarantine facility at a place near Delhi to keep evacuated Indians.