Bengaluru: With the detection of three positive cases of Covid-19 virus (coronavirus) in neighbouring Kerala, the Karnataka Department of Family and Welfare has issued an advisory to health advisories.
On Sunday evening the department set up an exclusive helpline 104, Arogya Sahayavani, for persons with recent travel history to China and other affected countries and those who have developed symptoms, said Dr. B G Prakash Kumar of the Department of Family Welfare.
Such people are requested to immediately contact 104–Arogya Sahyavani or the health authorities and provide all necessary details in order to take precautionary measures. They are requested to stay at home in isolation.
The Covid-19 outbreak has so far affected 28 countries. The World Health Organization has declared the recent novel corona virus (COVID 2019) as an International Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
With the recent three positive cases in Kerala, the border districts of Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamrajnagar, Udupi and Mysuru have been put under n-CoV Surveillance.
Against this background, Karnataka state has strengthened all surveillance and control measures against the disease. Till date, 246 travellers from Covid-19 affected countries have been identified and 215 are under home isolation, 4 Chinese passengers have left the country, and 1 is admitted in selected isolation Hospital.
Till date 163 samples of symptomatic people have been sent for testing out of which 151 have been reported as negative. Twenty-six passengers have completed 28 days of observation.
Until February 16, 3350 calls have been received and information given. Currently 23723 passengers have been screened at KIA Airport Bengaluru.
