Lok Sabha Question No. 2607 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Outbreak of Coronavirus
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Anto  Antony, V. Kalanidhi, Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Kanakmal Katara, Keshari Devi Patel, Haji Fazlur Rehman, Meenakashi Lekhi, S. Venkatesan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2607 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH MARCH, 2020

## OUTBREAK OF CORONAVI RUS

## 2607. DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV:

SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

SHRI HAJI FAZLUR REHMAN:

SHRIMATI MEENAKASHI LEKHI:

SHRI S. VENKATESAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Indians reported to be infected by COVID - 19 within the country and also on foreign soil so far;
- (b) whether the number of deaths have increased due to COVID - 19  in  the  country, if so, the number of deaths reported within the country so far;
- (c) whether the Government has any strategic approach and are medically equipped to com COVID - 19 particular ly in the event of an outbreak, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has received any proposal from States/UTs including Tamil Na and complaints from public about Coronavirus, if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  h as  taken  measures  to  educate  the  public  about  this  type  of communicable virus and face such challenges with scientific support by global intervent so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether any separate OPD/hospitals have been made for the treatment of patients affected with Corona virus and if so, the details thereof along with number of such OPDs/hospita total  number  of  cases  reported  and  being  treated  there,  State/UT - wise  and  the  action  plan  to check the effects of Coronavirus?

## ANSWER THE MI NISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) : As on 4th March, 2020, a total of 29 positive cases have been reported in India inc 16  Italian  tourists  on  visit  to  India.  Out  of  this,  3  cases  of  Indian  nationals  were Kerala, who have since recovered and discharged from the hospital.

On  1 st and  2 nd February,  2020,  a  total  of  654  passengers  were  brought  from  Wuhan, China  and  kept  for  14  days'  quarantine  in  Army  Camp,  Manesar  and  Indo - Tibetan  Boarder Police (ITBP) Camp at Chhawla (Delhi). These evacuees were tested twice, reported negati ve for COVID - 19 and were discharged on 17 th and 18 th February, 2020.

On 27 th February, 2020, 112 persons (76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals) have be evacuated  from  Wuhan,  China  and  kept  for  mandatory  14  days'  quarantine  at  Army  Camp, Manesar. 124 (1 19 Indians and 5 foreign nationals) have been evacuated from Japan and kept mandatory 14 days' quarantine at ITBP Camp, Chhawla (Delhi).  All these 236 passengers have been tested and reported negative for COVID - 19.

## (b) : Till 04.03.2020, no death has been reported in the country due to COVID - 19.

(c) to (f) : Government has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID - 19) in China and has initiated steps to monitor the situation in India, as follows:

- I. Screening of passengers was initiated in t he country since 18th January 2020. Initially airports  at  Delhi,  Mumbai,  Chennai,  Kolkata,  Bengaluru,  Hyderabad  and  Kochi  were covered  and  subsequently  expanded  in  a  total  of  21  airports.  As  per  the  evol situation, initially Universal Screening was tak en up for all passengers coming via direct flights  from  China,  South  Korea,  Japan,  Iran,  Italy,  Hong  Kong,  Vietnam,  Malays Indonesia,  Nepal,  Thailand  and  Singapore.  Now,  directions  have  also  been  issued Universal Screening for all international pass engers coming in the country. Signages have been  displayed  at  prominent  places  in  airports  and  ports,  In - flight  announcements  are being made and self - declaration forms are being filled up by all passengers. As on 4 March,  a  total  of  6,241  flights  have  b een  screened  covering  a  total  of  6,11,167 passengers. Teams of Specialist doctors were sent to all the airports to ensure e screening and arrangement for isolation in the attached hospitals. Besides this, s has  been  initiated  in  border  cros sings.  Arrangements  have  been  made  for  in - flight announcements  in  incoming  flights,  filling  of  self - declaration  forms  by  incoming passengers. Signages have been displayed at prominent locations at ports and airpor guidance  and  convenience  of  passenge rs.  First  Travel  advisory  was  issued  on  17 th January 2020 and as situation is evolving, the travel advisories are accordingly revised. Extant advisories provide that:
2. (i) All Regular / eVisas issued to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan issued on or before  March  03,  2020  and  who  have  not  yet  entered  India,  stand  suspended  wit immediate effect.
3. (ii) Regular  /  eVisa  issued  to  nationals  of  Peoples  Republic  of  China  issued  on  or  b February 05, 2020 were suspended earlier, which shall remai n in force.
4. (iii) Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa fr nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate.
5. (iv) Regular  /  eVisas issued  to  all  other  foreign  nationals  who  have  travelled  to  Peop Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan, on or after February 01, 202 who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.
6. (v) All foreign and Indian nat ionals entering into India from any port, are required to furn duly  filled  self - declaration  form  including  personal  particulars  and  travel  history Health officials and Immigration officials at all ports.
7. (vi) Passengers (foreign and Indian) arriving dire ctly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singa must undergo medical screening at port of entry.

II. The  government  has  conducted  training  for  the  officers  of  ports, airports  and  border crossing points and has sensitized them on management of high risk pathogens such as Ebola Coronavirus. They have been equipped with personal protective equipment. Additional doct nurses  and  paramedic  staff  have  been  deployed  at the  airports  for  smooth,  effective  and convenient screening of passengers.

III. Guidelines  on  clinical  management,  infection  prevention  control,  surveillance sampling etc. have been disseminated to the States and also made available on the website the Union  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare.  The  risk  is  communicated  through  medi including social media.

IV. Government of India has also initiated a series of action to prevent entry of the and  to  contain  it. A  group  of  ministers  (GoM)  c onsisting  of  Minister  of  External  Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Minister of State of Hea Family Welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Mini has been constituted. Me etings of GoM have been held on 03.02.2020, 13.02.2020, 02.03.2020 and  04.03.2020.  Cabinet  Secretary  has  taken  series  of  meetings  with  all  related  Minis Departments  such  as  Health,  Defence,  External  Affairs,  Civil  Aviation,  Home,  Texti Pharmaceuticals, Commerce.

V. Central Government has engaged all the State Governments, on a continuous basis, in e for  management  of  COVID - 19.  Cabinet  Secretary  has  also  taken  meetings  with  State  Chief Secretaries.  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  is  c onstantly  reviewing  the  evolving scenario.  Series  of  Video  Conferences  have  been  held  with  Chief  Secretaries  and  also Secretaries, Health of the States / Union Territories (UTs).

VI. Integrated  Disease  Surveillance  Programme  (IDSP)  has  been  geared  up to  track  and follow  up  passengers  coming  from  the  affected  countries  particularly  China,  Hong  Ko Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, Japan, South Korea, Iran and Government have made arrangements for testing of samples at th e National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune and 14 other Viral Research & Diagnostics Laboratories (VRDLs) of the Indi Council  of  Medical  Research  (ICMR)  in  different  parts  of  the  Country.  Adequate  labora reagents are available to test samples. Suff icient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained. A 24x7 Control Room has been activated. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) of th States /UTs have already been trained in management of MERS - CoV outbreak and Ebola Virus Disease.

VII. The Joi nt Monitoring Group (JMG) under the Chairmanship of DGHS has held series of meetings to assess the risk and review the preparedness and response mechanisms to manage case that might get imported to India. World Health Organisation (WHO), being represen ted in the JMG is providing Ministry with regular updates and technical information.

VIII.  Senior  officers  of  the  Ministry  of  Health  &  family  Welfare  have  been  deputed  to States / UTs to review the management of COVID - 19 in each State / UT.

IX. Press releases are being issued on regular basis. Information about travel adviso other pertinent issues is also being shared on social media.

X.    Government of India has advised to all States/UTs to identify health facilities fo of COVID - 19 cases. Following the advisory, 962 hospitals/health facilities have been ide by the States in the country for treatment of COVID - 19 cases. State -wise details of health status of passengers arriving from COVID - 19 affected countries, as provided by IDSP for 02.03.2020, is given in Annexure.

Government is monitoring the situation closely.

| INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             | INTEGRATED DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM                                                             |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 | DAILY REPORT OF HEALTH STATUS OF PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM COVID -19 AFFECTED COUNTRY FOR 02.03.2020 |
| S. No.                                                                                              | State                                                                                               | Cumulative number of Passengers under observation                                                   | No. of passengers who have completed 28 days observation period                                     | Cumulative Number of passengers found symptomatic & referred                                        | Samples taken Samples result negative                                                               | Samples result positive                                                                             | Currently Hospitalised                                                                              |
| 1                                                                                                   | Andhra Pradesh                                                                                      | 263                                                                                                 | 211                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 11 10                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 2                                                                                                   |
| 2                                                                                                   | A&N Island                                                                                          | 170                                                                                                 | 6                                                                                                   | 1                                                                                                   | 2 2                                                                                                 |                                                                                                     | 1                                                                                                   |
| 3                                                                                                   | Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 4                                                                                                   | Assam                                                                                               | 108                                                                                                 | 74                                                                                                  | 5                                                                                                   | 4 3                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 5                                                                                                   | Bihar                                                                                               | 121                                                                                                 | 3                                                                                                   | 7                                                                                                   | 15 11                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 6                                                                                                   | Chandigarh                                                                                          | 50                                                                                                  | 17                                                                                                  | 4                                                                                                   | 3 3                                                                                                 |                                                                                                     | 0                                                                                                   |
| 7                                                                                                   | Chhattisgarh                                                                                        | 27                                                                                                  | 2                                                                                                   | 8                                                                                                   | 23 23                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 8                                                                                                   | D N Haveli                                                                                          | 12                                                                                                  | 6                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 9                                                                                                   | Daman & Diu                                                                                         | 6                                                                                                   | 3                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 1 1                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 10                                                                                                  | Delhi                                                                                               | 5937                                                                                                | 5818                                                                                                | 127                                                                                                 | 127 112                                                                                             | 1                                                                                                   | 19                                                                                                  |
| 11                                                                                                  | Goa                                                                                                 | 51                                                                                                  | 38                                                                                                  | 5                                                                                                   | 7 7                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 12                                                                                                  | Gujarat                                                                                             | 1519                                                                                                | 933                                                                                                 | 23                                                                                                  | 25 25                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 13                                                                                                  | Haryana                                                                                             | 913                                                                                                 | 556                                                                                                 | 23                                                                                                  | 28 26                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 1                                                                                                   |
| 14                                                                                                  | Himachal Pradesh                                                                                    | 213                                                                                                 | 172                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 15                                                                                                  | Jammu & Kashmir                                                                                     | 189                                                                                                 | 66                                                                                                  | 8                                                                                                   | 21 13                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 1                                                                                                   |
| 16                                                                                                  | Jharkhand                                                                                           | 84                                                                                                  | 1                                                                                                   | 1                                                                                                   | 6 6                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 17                                                                                                  | Karnataka                                                                                           | 468                                                                                                 | 179                                                                                                 | 284 245                                                                                             | 238                                                                                                 |                                                                                                     | 1                                                                                                   |
| 18                                                                                                  | Kerala                                                                                              | 4249                                                                                                | 3955                                                                                                | 95                                                                                                  | 504 493                                                                                             | 3                                                                                                   | 17                                                                                                  |
| 19                                                                                                  | Ladakh                                                                                              | 154                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 8                                                                                                   | 8 5                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 4                                                                                                   |
| 20                                                                                                  | Lakshadweep                                                                                         | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 21                                                                                                  | Madhya Pradesh                                                                                      | 385                                                                                                 | 319                                                                                                 | 4                                                                                                   | 18 13                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 1                                                                                                   |
| 22                                                                                                  | Maharashtra                                                                                         | 382                                                                                                 | 279                                                                                                 | 137                                                                                                 | 137 132                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                   | 7                                                                                                   |
| 23                                                                                                  | Manipur                                                                                             | 338                                                                                                 | 163                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 7 7                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 24                                                                                                  | Meghalaya                                                                                           | 58                                                                                                  | 54                                                                                                  | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 25                                                                                                  | Mizoram                                                                                             | 16                                                                                                  | 5                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 2 2                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 26                                                                                                  | Nagaland                                                                                            | 17                                                                                                  | 7                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 27                                                                                                  | Odisha                                                                                              | 115                                                                                                 | 69                                                                                                  | 8                                                                                                   | 8 8                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 4                                                                                                   |
| 28                                                                                                  | Puducherry                                                                                          | 52                                                                                                  | 30                                                                                                  | 9                                                                                                   | 9 9                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 29                                                                                                  | Punjab                                                                                              | 4436 411                                                                                            | 3302                                                                                                | 36 77                                                                                               | 41 41                                                                                               | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0 3                                                                                                 |
| 30                                                                                                  | Rajasthan                                                                                           |                                                                                                     | 219                                                                                                 |                                                                                                     | 81 79                                                                                               |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |
| 31                                                                                                  | Sikkim                                                                                              | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 32                                                                                                  |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |
|                                                                                                     | Tamil Nadu                                                                                          | 3043                                                                                                | 1405                                                                                                | 25                                                                                                  | 50 50                                                                                               | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 34                                                                                                  | Tripura                                                                                             | 25                                                                                                  | 19                                                                                                  | 0 98                                                                                                | 0 0                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
| 35                                                                                                  | Uttar                                                                                               | 2163                                                                                                | 1554                                                                                                |                                                                                                     | 108 101                                                                                             | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |
|                                                                                                     | Pradesh                                                                                             |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |                                                                                                     |
| 36                                                                                                  | Uttarakhand                                                                                         | 393                                                                                                 | 299                                                                                                 | 8                                                                                                   | 9 8                                                                                                 | 0                                                                                                   | 0                                                                                                   |