TLI Staff
New Delhi: Kerala has reported its first case of novel coronavirus in India on Thursday. A female student who recently returned from Wuhan, China has tested positive and has been kept in isolation in the hospital. Her condition is stable and improving.
Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has confirmed India’s first case of novel coronavirus in Thrissur and has said there is no need for panic as the girl has been kept in isolation in the hospital. The girl’s condition is stable and improving.
Shailaja has said that out of 20 samples sent for testing, 10 turned negative, six are awaited, while one case tested positive. Four other samples are also being sent.
“One positive case of Novel Coronavirus — a student studying in Wuhan University — has been reported from Kerala,” said a statement released by the Health Ministry.
“The patient is stable and is being closely monitored,” the statement said.
In Kerala, 800 people are under observation with 10 in hospitals and the rest at their home, according to state health authorities.
Apart from China where the death toll has risen to 170 with 7,711 confirmed cases, the virus has spread to Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Canada, the United States, United Arab Emirates, Australia, France, Germany and Finland.
Finland reported its first case on Wednesday.
What is Coronavirus
Coronavirus is a respiratory infection that primarily affects the animals and in rare instances, causes infections in humans. It’s known to cause mild respiratory tract infections—very similar to other respiratory tract viral infections. Rarely, upon disease progression,it causes pneumonia and respiratory failure and death.
The Coronavirus originating from China is found to infect humans as well. Respiratory secretion and coughing are two known sources of infection transmission amongst the humans.
How to protect yourself from Coronavirus
WHO has issues guidelines for general public to protect against the deadly virus from hand and respiratory hygiene to safe food practices.
1) Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
2) When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands.
3) Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough.
4) If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider.
5) When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals.
6) The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
What is Coronavirus? How to protect yourself from the deadly infection