India’s Health Minister Discusses the Country’s Health Initiatives

India Steps Up Monitoring of Coronavirus Outbreak to Prevent Epidemic

India is taking proactive measures to monitor the new coronavirus outbreak at the highest level in order to prevent an epidemic, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan announced on Friday. The virus, known as COVID-19, has already claimed over 1,300 lives and infected more than 64,000 people worldwide, with the majority of cases reported in China.

In India, three confirmed cases have been reported in the state of Kerala, out of more than 1,700 people tested across the country. The government has been conducting thermal screenings for passengers arriving from high-risk countries at airports and seaports, as well as keeping tabs on individuals through an integrated disease surveillance program.

Vardhan emphasized the coordination between state and district-level surveillance officers to monitor those who may have been exposed to the virus. More than 2,000 flights have been screened, and 15,000 people are currently under observation as a precautionary measure.

In addition to setting up 15 laboratories for testing, India has issued travel advisories and canceled flights to China. Two Indian nationals aboard a cruise ship in Japan have also tested positive for the virus, prompting the Indian embassy to work on their safe return.

Despite concerns about the economic impact of the outbreak, economists believe that India will be less affected due to its low dependence on Chinese tourism and exports. However, delays in shipments from China could still impact economic activity in the country.

With a proactive approach and stringent monitoring measures in place, India is working to contain the spread of the virus and protect its population from a potential epidemic.